Tennessee was the last team standing Thursday night.
The Lady Vols were braced for a physical, competitive SEC women’s basketball struggle with LSU and they got it, surviving for a 65-56 victory.
“I knew from the beginning this was going to be the scrappiest game of our SEC experience,’’ UT guard Meighan Simmons said.
Freshman teammate Cierra Burdick seemed to enjoy the rough and tumble surroundings.
“Players were hitting the deck every single possession,’’ she said. “That’s exciting. People want to see that. People want to come and pay money and see women just battle on the floor. I think we did a great job of that, and I hope our fans approve.”
The 13,107 in attendance at Thompson-Boling Arena got their money’s worth from Simmons, who scored a game-high 19 points. She had three of the Lady Vols’ five 3-pointers, their most in five games.
UT associate head coach Holly Warlick approved of Simmons’ play on defense.
“We want to make sure Meighan plays both ends of the floor,’’ Warlick said. “I thought tonight she played both ends of the floor and we needed her.”
Burdick was entertaining as well, tying her season high with 15 points. She also grabbed six rebounds.
“She just played her heart out,’’ teammate Glory Johnson said.
Johnson was Tennessee’s third double-figure scorer with 10 points. Neither her points nor her six rebounds overshadowed her pain tolerance, however. She departed late in the first half with her left arm dangling at her side after suffering a shoulder injury.
“I think one of my shoulders was bent back and I heard a pop,’’ the senior forward said, “and that’s when I was holding it.”
Johnson returned in the second half wearing a sleeve, which she used to wear regularly, and played eight minutes.
Tennessee already was playing without Shekinna Stricklen and Taber Spani, who were sitting on the bench with knee injuries.
“I’ll be fine,’’ said Johnson, referring to Monday’s game at No. 2 Notre Dame. “I’ll make sure.”
Attrition-wise, LSU (13-5, 4-2) wasn’t as fortunate. Guard Jeanne Kenney was knocked out early with a concussion. Then, shortly before halftime, fellow guard Destini Hughes leaped for a long pass and landed awkwardly. She went to the locker room in a wheelchair, having suffered an apparent knee injury.
The injuries essentially stripped the Lady Tigers of their point guards and forced them to rearrange their lineup. No matter, they were lurking within 56-53 with 3:03 left.
Tennessee then got the scoring separation it craved courtesy of consecutive layups by Johnson and Ariel Massengale.
The baskets accounted for four of the 20 points Tennessee managed from close range against LSU’s defense.
The Lady Vols had just six points in the paint at halftime. Since they weren’t going to win solely on jump shots, they had to find a way into the foul lane.
“We told our players to penetrate the zone and get looks,’’ Warlick said.
|“ … We had a little bit of shot fakes and took the ball inside a little bit more.”
Center Vicki Baugh didn’t shoot particularly well, making just two field goals. But she grabbed 10 of her game-high 14 rebounds in the second half. Five of them were on the offensive end.
The other by-product of getting inside was getting to the free throw line. UT had 31 attempts and, despite some wayward accuracy, managed to score 18 points there.
“Down the stretch,’’ Warlick said, “we made plays, we made stops and we got key rebounds.”
Dan Fleser may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/FleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser
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Comments » 49
dbc5361 writes:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
jt45 writes:
Way to to Burdick, good to see another freshman have a breakout night.
Good job shutting them down in the final stretch, all these injuries are really starting make it tough in games like this.
Good job LVs
movol53 writes:
OMG!!! Yes, we won however, can't hit Free Throws and can't hit Lay Ups. Been that way for most of the season;what's up with that? I'm afraid Notre Dame will us us for a practice game Monday night. Will we be healthy enough to make a run in March / April? This life long Lady Vols Fan is very concerned.
Razor784 writes:
Great effort even though they were missing 3 starters for a lot of the game, Burdick is gonna be a good one
SoddyVol writes:
How did LSU lose to Fla? What a disappointing shooting night by Vols. It should have been a comfortable win. My favorite freshman, Cierra Burdick, did a great job as I suspected she would. Her 31 minutes were sure needed with Stricklen out. Player of the game with 50 percent FG made. 6 rebounds and some descent defence. (While the rest of the team could hardly make a shot). Simmons hit several but her percentage wasn't so great.
wigmeister writes:
Uuuuugly game, but a win. Burdick finally came to play. Turnovers kill us. Hope foul shooting improves. Good to have a W. Need to have a killer instinct when they get up. Good win, none the less. Hope our injured players get better, as Glory is dinged as well. Go gals!!!!!
butch31 writes:
My player of the game is Cierra, she was thrown into the fire tonight LOL...But she needs to be commended. I think this was her coming out tonight. We have a future star folks. Glad Briana played quality minutes. Vicki and Alicia were playing pressed tonight, relax ladies, RELAX, stop playing so tight! Notre Dame is up, next monday, lets get healthy, would love to see a healthy Glory, Taber & Shekinna back for that game, along with our new star Miss Cierra Burdick.
I hope injured LSU player Destini Hughes is o.k., that injury looked bad.
Great win overall, and hopefully this will help us in our future games.
This is the kind of game that we NEEDED, it will most definitely make us better. Notre Dame here we come, win or lose in South Bend, Ind. We are on our way.
The coaches need to figure out how to get the ball in the post, we are living & dying by the 3! We need to rest up and get ready for Notre Dame, I know we're injured, tired and hurting.
Good Job, Lady Vols...lets keep pace with Kentucky in the SEC.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Peeping through my fingers watching them shoot free throws. Most don't seem to have a smooth delivery......kind of a quick release. But, defense really got with it in the 2nd half. That little flurry of steals, rebounds, and long down court passes for layups really helped turn the tide. Burdick has a nice jump shot and she at least, is also smooth at the line.
Will we ever see Spani anytime soon? 3 starters missing at times tonight as Glory banged up her shoulder. Could not hurt her heart though !
Way to tough it out girls !
xvolx writes:
Well put.
butch31 writes:
Next time get off your LAZY BUTTS, and attend the game. It was NOT Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! It was a very physical contest. We did a lot of things right in order for us to get the WIN. Why HATE?
SoddyVol writes:
I just noticed my poor spelling. I meant "decent defense".
Theo writes:
azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Theo writes:
Knew it would be ugly with LSU's defense. Great gutted out win. Man, I thought for a while Holly was going to have to suit up to have five on the floor.
Cierra B. was great, how fun to see a glimpse of her potential. I think Izzy Harrison has equal potential. I really hope she learns from Glory. I just think if she could develop that aggressive approach she could be the same sort of rebounder and foul magnet that Glory is.
Shekeina did not look like a slight knee sprain. A lot of ice for slight. I doubt we see her for a couple of weeks. Any med types out there? Does a sprain mean there was a small tear in the knee or just that the ligaments were stretched? I guess I'm wondering if playing could potentially cause more damage.
And last - PLAY KAMIKO! She does make mistakes on occassion but I think she plays better if she is left in the game and doesn't worry about getting the hook.
VolFaninDC writes:
Best post I've read on here....EVER!!!
chl1958 writes:
Great Gritty Game, Lady Vols. As I live too far away to be there in person; I chewed on my finger nails as I watched it on TV!What I can't understand is how the members of the BPA[Bingo Players Association] can sit there so emotionless!I am an old fart also,but I would have been screaming my heart out if I had been there. For a moment I thought the stands were packed with HOV lane dummies until I saw one move to scratch his ear. Come on folks,our Ladies need your vocal and emotional support! It is OK for you to stand and cheer even if Our National Anthem is not being played! You might lose some weight if you moved more.Great hustle game, LADY VOLS!
clvolfan writes:
Does everyone see it the way I do? Tonight was an inevitable future of what the Lady VOLS will be like after this year,with Strikland out,Johnson part of the game,and Baugh graduating with the aforementioned.
huntined#565710 writes:
Well a win is a win but if this team don't start shooting the ball better they will have a rough road ahead and they will lose to the good shooting teams. Hope all the players on both teams heal fast that was a real hard fought game.
Roger41 writes:
I think our Lady VOLS played their guts out tonight. FOUL line not good . HARD PLAYING and GUTTING it out was impressive. GOOD win, better be ready Monday. THE Irish are are waiting.
SoddyVol writes:
I don't quite see it that way. I really expect Cierra Burdick, Isabelle Harrison, Ariel Massengale, Meighan Simmons, Taber Spani, Kamiko Williams and incomming freshmen to get the job done next year. The team just may be better then.
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Love the Lady Vols!!!!!! We often seem to not care if we use the ball to score or just throw it away in some manner that gives the impression that we do not have a sufficient basketball IQ to perform at the level that our past credentials would indicate. Certainly could win it all with 8-10 turnovers a game, not allowing the lay up when we press, getting out on the 3-point shooter, funneling the dribbler to the middle instead of allowing them to go baseline and then helping out as they drive the lane, and being just a little better freethrow shooting team. Seems like alot to do, but with the talent these ladies brought to UT we are correct to expect to see a better basketball IQ.
richvol writes:
Burdick showed me something tonight. I finally see why Pat signed her...let's hope she keeps it up as I'm afraid Stricklen is going to sit awhile. Little Brianna played well too and Simmons played much better defensively. These turnovers are going to really hurt us come tourney time.
liferjarhead writes:
Is it just me or do the girls just not seem to be playing up to the standards we have seen for a very long time? I know this will really get me jumped on, but here it goes. Could it be the coach P.S. needs to go ahead and retire? No not for her health but because the players and other coaches are hounded each day about how she is doing. It has to be mentally draining on them all. I want her to coach as long as she is able but there is clearly something wrong with this team that most thought would make a deep run come tournament time if not have a good chance of winning it all.
richvol writes:
I wish I could agree with you but I feel this will be a very average SEC team next year. The only chance we have of being really good is for our incoming freshmen to be superior. The core group returning is too inconsistent.
butch31 writes:
You are the example of not going any where, anytime soon! LOL This team will be good next year too. We have some awesome players coming in next year, 6'3" Bashara Graves, is Glory Johnson all over again.
Meighan, Taber and Kamiko will lead this team next season. Cierra, Isabelle and Ariel will be so improved physically, u won't recognized them LOL.
We have a great point guard in Adraya Carter, and another post player in 6'2" Jasmine Jones, these incoming freshmen are skilled too. I'm sure we'll sign 2 more late signee's in the spring.
Trust there will not be a drop off. Will win a NCAA title next year? probably not, but never say never LOL!
I know we haven't won any championships since 2008, but we can't win it every year. LOL! Heck most teams don't even make it to postseason. UT is very fortunate to have coach Summit. She does a wonderful job running this program.
So...NO I do not see it the way you do.
jt45 writes:
Who's standards are you referring to ? They are fine and March isn't here yet so lets give them a chance before we start talking that stuff,
I would rather see PS taking charge and breathing fire than a multiple coach bench.
xvolx writes:
Well put.
volboy81 writes:
me too! that foul shooting was horrible. We win by 20-25 pts if we can hit free throws! We better step it up big-time to have any hope vs. Notre Dame on Monday.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
The stars will align for our Lady Vols soon. This might not be our year or years. We have got to look at reasons. No true PG the last three years. Had 2 HS all American post in Baugh and Cain hurt most of their careers. A 6'8 center from Baylor came on the scene. A player name Maya Moore dominated the bball world for 4 years . I feel like top to bottom we have the best players in America. It just a matter of putting it all together. You look at Baylor... Griner and Sims don't score at least 20+ or more ..they lose . No bench. Stanford without the O sisters? They lose. ND without there two Digging and Novelsel? Lose .
What I'm saying is there is still no other team out there that will bring in more 5 stars than Tennessee. With the exception of Uconn. Baylor will be down next year , Stanford will lose one O sister, ND will be down. But Tennessee will still be deep and will have a even better chance of winning it all next year....if .... Griner leaves early. :( We will need a big time Juco post player to do so though. The class coming in is ok but the class of 2013 will be even better. We have a good chance of getting 1,2,3 top players coming to TN.
gerryblack writes:
I realize that this is a NO NO but the Lady Vols are seriously lacking in the coaching dept. this year. They have the players but the coaches are doing a terrible job.
ps11824 writes:
We just don't seem to get better. Sloppy, sloppy. Summer league mentality. Forget basic fundamentals. Shoot it, throw it away. Sling up a FREE chance for a point or 2. We are a bad basketball team. That's fact.
SoddyVol writes:
Not bad--Just not great. It is frustrating to watch when we know the talent that should be just isn’t showing up consistently. They need a stronger mindset against making bad choices.
WCBB_FAN writes:
I see a lady vol B_team with great potential.I was pleased with the effort, but not the cute passes and silly mistakes. Monday, the plane with land at Norte Dame and back in Knoxville with another loss. Diggins is not going to let Tenn. beat them on their homecourt. I wouldn't be surprise if they beat l-vols by 25 points. These girls can't hang with Norte Dame.
richvol writes:
The only explaination that I can come up with for UT's sloppy turnovers is a lack of focus and concentration. That is a self discipline issue that does not seem to be getting any better. The coaching staff doesn't seem to hold anyone accountable about it either as there is no consequence to this type of play...it's happening over and over.
patsvolsrgr8 writes:
This was an exciting and hard fought game. While we struggled with a few unforced TOs and the foul line wasn't real pretty; I thought it was a fun game to watch....saw a lot of heart and pride by a lot of girls. Way to go Cierra; you've earned yourself some court time; love how you showed no fear and just started shooting and playing aggressively. Izzy needs to put some muscle on her; she lets the D push her around instead of holding her ground. Kudos to Glory for coming in the second half and toughing it out; you could tell she was in pain, but knew she had to help her team out and fight through it. We all need to do this come MOnday; it'll be a challenge for us, but we can do it. I agree with an earlier post; think Pat needs to step in a little more with her voice than her assistants; they respond better when she talks but also think her assistants are doing a good job as well. Still love the Vols; keep up the good work.
madrigal writes:
Proves it can be done, but it would be nice to have a healthy team! Coaches really need to think seriously about giving a couple more scholarships. It's scary to see only 9-10 players able to play.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Pat knew who she wanted when she got Cierra. A pure shooter. She is the best shooter on the court behind Spani and Strick. Another thing I liked was that she played 31 mins. Give her the minutes she will put up the points. Also Izzy needs to get in the workout room this summer and get some upper body strength. She is capable just need to bulk up.
Theo writes:
We said the same thing about the current senior class when they were underclassmen.
I think there is always the fear of the unknown with young players - a few exceptions Holdsclaw, Catchings and Parker - but they usually turn out great. I didn't think Glory would ever develope into the player she is now. As an underclassman she lacked both emotional and physical discipline. Now, she is a menace on the boards and very disciplined when getting mugged. Kids grow up an awful lot between 18 and 21. I think the future looks bright.
Theo writes:
Thank you for the comment. I hope the Lady Vols hear a lot more just like it. Could you also post that Diggins will school Massengale and that Glory Johnson will be a non-factor? That would be helpful thanks.
butch31 writes:
News Flash...Griner is NOT winning an NCAA Title, it wont happen LOL. I think this years UT Squad has a better chance. We been BANGED UP for a while now.
Stanford will be good AGAIN next season LOL, heck some of these Ivy League teams will be good too. At Notre Dame they lose Noveisel & Peters, but will be a legit top-15 school. Rutgers will be rebuilding, but dangerous. UConn will be good, but loses a Tiffany, and may miss her senior leadership. The recruits they have coming in are over ranked *(LOL)* but still good.
UT has the best chance *(If it stays healthy)* to win it all this year, they've seen everything, there is NOTHING they haven't seen this year. No excuses, hit your lay-ins, rebound, play solid defense.
UT played a very challenging schedule, no other team would of survived it, with the personnel changes we had.
I love this team, they're more athletic, fun, energetic, and GOOD! If we come into every game with that mentality, is spells DISASTER for opposing teams.
Baylor, Stanford, Virginia, Kentucky DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE LADY VOLS again, trust me LOL!!! I wish we could get that Baylor game back. We wont shoot 29% next time *(Believe that)* we out-rebound Baylor 52-37 and lose, only because Baylor made 11 more free-throws than we were allowed *(thanks REFS)* LOL! The Stanford game, we just need the last 5 minutes of the 1st half played over, and the last ten minutes of the 2nd half back LOL...we win that game.
Kentucky will be paid back when they visit, and the Virginia game was just a give away *(Merry Christmas)* I hope the NCAA Committee put them throws them in our bracket *(hehehehehe)* UT Senior class of Glory, Shekinna, Vicki, Alicia, Briana needs to hold each other accountable every game. Uconn roster is just like ours, so there are NO EXCUSES. Next years recruits will be big LOL...
Jephry writes:
Since Pat has been more vocal and fiery, the girls have played with more fire as well. I think we'll have a nice, deep run in the NCAA tournament. I like this team, and I love or Lady Vols.
Go Lady Vols!!!
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
If you look at the teams statically we are very equally matched with them in PPG. We have a rebounding advantage and they play predominantly guards with Peters being 6'3 and Achovwa at 6'2 . We should have plenty of film against this team and should know there habits. Our guards has to have a no non sense no turnover type of game and post has to make point blank layups. No excuse against this team that loves to score score score. With Strick at 80% we're ok but I would love to see Cierra have another breakout game. We need points from everyone. Im too Stoked for this game
liferjarhead writes:
I am referring to the standard P.S. and her staff have had for all these years. No this team is not fine and there is a real problem with it. If you will watch the games you will see it is the bench coaches are doing most of the work now.
crossvoll writes:
To all the puddleglums that think ND will whup us, just remember at the beginning of the season, they were ranked #2 when we were #3, since then they've been as low as #4 and we've hung around #6. I felt like a 3-point drop in the rankings was a bit much when we lost a road game to KY in the last 4 seconds by one point. All that to say, we have a great team, if the girls keep ice in their veins and don't get nervous, we can beat ND, it won't be easy, but it certainly can be done. Never count out the Lady Vols. Ever. They are a dangerous team.
johnlg00 writes:
That team will have to do it with quickness and finesse. Not going to scare too many teams with physicality with that roster. Of course, it isn't necessary to be big to be aggressive. They will have to cut down on the stupid turnovers and shoot the free-throws better, since they aren't going to be a great offensive rebounding team. They can't afford to give the opponents as many extra possessions as this year's team does, and make every one of theirs count.
gerryblack writes:
Great team NO. We are a pretty good team compared to the rest but far from being great.
Mrlogic writes:
I wouldn't bet on it if I were you. The Lady Vol's are going to come to play. You can take that to the Bank.
Mrlogic writes:
If you don't watch it your going to miss a good game.
WCBB_FAN writes:
Skylar says just her looks will put the Irish up a 15 point lead at halftime. Get real people. Tenn. is not going to beat Norte Dame.
itsgolden writes:
i thought two good (not great) high school teams were going at it. if LSU hadn't lost both point guards, this one would have probably been different, even with Glory in the game. this team is lacking a go to player and leadership. too many stretches in the game without scoring. sloppy play on both ends. while watching the game you see players reacting to what's going on vs. just playing hard all the time. Baugh, Simmons, and Manning seem to be thinking too much. throughout games you'll notice their own awareness of mental mistakes. Burdick had a good game offensively, but isn't anyone learning from Glory how to go hard on each end of the floor. Burdick and Baugh go after rebounds as if they don't really care who gets it. they get pushed around way too much. still if this team decides to play a 40 minute game both mentally and physically, they beat ND.
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