| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Gwen Jackson wants more
games like this, and second-ranked Tennessee wouldn't mind, either.
|  | | DePaul's Molly Watson, left, and Kristen Clement wrestle for possession. |
Jackson had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Lady
Vols' 94-52 victory Saturday over DePaul in the season opener for
both teams. She came into this season determined to be a force.
"I think last year I let them down," the sophomore center
said. "I went out this summer and had a game plan to come back
this season to contribute to the team,"
Jackson scored in double figures in only seven games last season
in limited playing time. Tennessee coach Pat Summitt saw the
difference in practice and put her in the starting lineup.
"She has really made a lot of improvement since last season,"
Summitt said. "Her play has really been a bright spot. She was
relentless on the boards."
Semeka Randall added 16 points and Tamika Catchings 14 points
and 10 rebounds. It was their performances last season that
inspired Jackson.
"When I see Tamika and Semeka playing hard, it's hard to sit
back and just watch them and not give any effort," Jackson said.
"I just want to play harder. My teammates deserve it."
Freshmen Ashley Robinson and LaToya Davis each added 11 points
as the Lady Vols, playing four freshmen in different lineups, used
furious defensive pressure and rebounding to pull away from
DePaul.
Tennessee also outmanned the Blue Demons by using 11 players. It
was hard to decipher the starters from the reserves.
"I'm pleased we didn't have any dropoff. I thought our bench
responded well," Summitt said.
DePaul was led by Lenae Williams' 22 points. Molly Watson
finished with 11 and Jamie Smith with 10.
Tennessee's offense showed up in spurts in the first half and
was more consistent in the second as the Lady Vols built on a 43-31
halftime lead.
Randall hit a jumper from the right wing to put Tennessee ahead
57-40 with 12:52 and then went to the bench. The Lady Vols didn't
need her.
The Blue Demons pulled within 60-42 on Williams' shot with 11:30
remaining, but the Lady Vols scored 14 straight points and held
DePaul scoreless for four minutes until Smith hit two free throws.
Davis hit a 3-pointer and a jumper after a steal by Kyra Elzy
and put Tennessee up 74-44 with 6:39 left. Then the Lady Vols'
transition game took over.
"We made it a game for 10 to 15 minutes, but then the second
half was disappointing," said DePaul coach Doug Bruno. "There is
no magic to beating Tennessee. We just have to be more
competitive."
Tennessee took a 12-point halftime lead after a furious 10-0
run.
Smith hit a putback with 4:08 left before halftime to cut the
Lady Vols' lead to 31-26, but DePaul didn't score again until three
minutes later. Kara Lawson and Catchings hit baskets, then Randall
turned on the pressure. She made one basket, then grabbed a steal
at the other end and scored on a fast break. After another steal,
Lawson passed to Randall for another fast-break basket for a 41-26
lead with 1:52 remaining in the first half.
The Blue Demons closed to within three points on three occasions in
the first half. Watson made a field goal and a 3-pointer to close
to 14-13, and Briana Fitzgerald's shot with 11:16 left made it
16-15. Williams cut it to 20-17 at 8:44.
Tennessee shot 14-for-19 from the line in the first half and
outrebounded DePaul 51-23 in the game.
Tennessee's Michelle Snow and Shalon Pillow did not dress for
the game. Snow and Pillow served a one-game suspension for
violating team rules.
Summitt was honored before the game for her induction into the
Basketball Hall of Fame.
| |
ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
DePaul Clubhouse
Tennessee Clubhouse
Vols' Catchings named preseason All-American for third time
|
