TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama came into Thursday night's game against Tennessee riding a six-game losing streak. The fact Tennessee was fired up after the second-worst loss in program history only made matters worse.
Shekinna Stricklen scored 14 points and Glory Johnson added 13 to lead the No. 7 Lady Vols to an 86-56 win over the Crimson Tide.
"I'm really proud of our team for the effort that they gave," said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. "I thought we competed and played awfully hard. We played a very good basketball team. ... I didn't see anything drastic."
Kamiko Williams and Isabelle Harrison chipped in 10 points apiece for the Lady Vols (15-5, 6-1 Southeastern Conference), who rebounded from a 72-44 setback at No. 2 Notre Dame on Monday.
"We were happy with the pace we played," said Tennessee assistant coach Holly Warlick. "Obviously, we wanted to score. We wanted an up-tempo game. I thought the first half, Alabama hung tough with us."
Kyra Crosby had 15 points and five rebounds for the Crimson Tide (10-11, 0-7 SEC).
Tennessee jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game's first 2 minutes and was comfortably ahead for most of the opening half. The Vols led by 15 points at the break.
"To have a good start, I think that helps our team a lot, gives us a lot of confidence and warns people for next time," said Johnson
The Vols had only four turnovers compared to Alabama's eight. Tennessee also won the rebounding battle 24-17.
"What I thought happened in the first half is if we'd made some free throws, maybe kept the score a little bit closer, it might've been a different type basketball game," said Hudson. "But from the effort standpoint, Tennessee is a very good basketball team, and I thought we competed."
Tennessee scored 25 points off 22 turnovers, including 11 steals.
The Vols shot 45 percent from the field (32 of 71) but just 21 percent of its 3-point attempts (4 for 19). Alabama's performance from long range was much worse; the Tide went 1-for 14.
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Comments » 10
98reax writes:
Gosh, that was ugly. Shooting is atrocious.
KennyGVolsFan writes:
They are going to have to get 10x's better!!! I was not happy with the performance. We should have blown this team out by a hundred points.
Fouls were the issue tonight. We have to understand the officiating better. We have to run the floor better, we have to pass better. We just have to flat out play BETTER!!!
Their tallest player was 6'1, really??? Our post should have scored 60 points alone. I didn't like the starting line-up. I love Cierra but she has to get quicker!!
I have to say, it was nice to see what we are going to have next year. I am sure Graves, Jones and Carter will make great additions. Our number one issue is communication and playing as a team. Simmons took to many shots!!!
Millisa writes:
Glad we won got to work harder quit fouling Work on Defense and Rebounding and play as a TEAM.
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Happy we won. We were #7 in the country. Will not be there after the next poll. We are not a good basketball team. Our greatest weakness is our inability to defend the post play and the drives to the basket. We do not stop the ball, rule number in the game of BB. We are a half-step or a full step slow as we attempt to defend. This is a mixture of coaches failing to work to improve this aspect of our defense and our players not understanding the concept of stopping the ball. Strick took a hard charge last night, but for the year one could probably count the charges taken on one hand, may have to use part of the other, but the point is we are not quick enough, either in muscle reaction or our understanding of the game, to get in position to stop the drive to the basket. Presently, we are not even a fair shooting team. Our outside shot is not falling at all but the greatest concern for now is our inability to finish at the rim. Again this represents a lack of understanding of the game. We bring the ball down,where it is stolen or tied up, dribble in the paint with 4 defenders around us and again lose the ball or get tied up or wait to go back up with the shot after the rebound. Teams like Notre Dame and Conn play the game a little differently. They have the game savy to move without the ball, get open lay-ups and free themselves up for open threes and make a good percentage of these shots. They also make it much more difficult for their opponent to drive the ball to the rim. Hopefully we will get back to being a complete team. Still love the Lady Vols though. Will watch no matter what the score or how the game goes. The zone worked a little better last night in defending the 3-point shot. We still need a little better understanding of who is defending the ball and how this impacts spacing of other defenders. Some times we will have a player in a zone alone when she could be pinching in little to help out. Oh. before I go, shooting could improve with just a little more use of the finger tips and the old "cookie jar" analogy, at the line, at the rim and from the jump or set shot.
SoddyVol writes:
Thankful for good shooting from Johnson, Baugh, Stricklen, Williams, and Bass especially in 1st half.
This is 2nd game Massengale had very poor shooting. X th game bad percentage for Simmons. Also disappointed in production of Burdick and Harrison.
butch31 writes:
Actually 45% and up is considered excellent. I am not sure why u guys are complaining. Alabama played like Kentucky last night. We played better and wore them out. It was good to see the line up changed, its what the lady vols needed. I am in awe at all of these complaints. If ur not sure whats going on or how these young ladies are playing, travel to the away games. LOL
SoddyVol writes:
I think my post above is a fair assessment.
I was appreciative of the just under 59.5% shooting from Baugh, Johnson, Williams, Stricklen, and Bass. (22 of 37).
Then Simmons and Harrison were just fair at 6 of 16 for 37.5%
However, Massengale, Manning, & Burdick, only made a total of 4 of 18 for 22.2%
butch31 writes:
Your comment was ok. u were correct, it was these others. I hate calling people out but its just negative to whine after a win. Nine regular season games left, and we need to win out, including the SEC Tournament. We need to secure a #2 seed, and stay close to home. This has been a very difficult preseason schedule. No other teams plays ranked opponents, one after the other! However the Lady Vols do...we have three freshmen, 1 sophomore, and 2 juniors, and they need all the encouragement possible!
RLL59 writes:
Although someone on the LV staff reads the comments posted here, I would guess that the players have been advised against it. I'm sure those players, if any, that choose to read these posts, are smart enough to ignore both destructive cynical comments and the pandering praise of those who either don't understand the game or choose to be dishonest in their evaluations. In general, players and coaches recognize the praise and criticism they deserve and that which they don't.
butch31 writes:
Its not about being smart enough, its hurtful and negative! Just don't do it after a win EVER! I can see losses. But never after wins. It makes NO SENSE!
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