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  Friday, Dec. 15 7:00pm ET
Jackson's 18 points, nine boards undo Tigers
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Gwen Jackson finally understands her coach's criticism, and now she is one of No. 2 Tennessee's most consistent players.

Jackson scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Vols (8-0) beat Memphis 98-60 Friday. Jackson, a sophomore forward, and seniors Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randall are Tennessee's leading scorers.

"She has made a tremendous difference on our basketball team," coach Pat Summitt said of Jackson. "A lot more coachable. I think last year she was a little bit sensitive, and now she's getting a bit of a mental toughness."

Jackson says she feels more comfortable with Summitt, who is known for letting players know when they aren't up to par.

"Last year I was kind of immature. When she fussed at me, I took it the wrong way, but I think I understand her more. Our relationship is a whole lot better," Jackson said.

Memphis (6-3) began the game with a zone defense, but Jackson foiled the plan by hitting a 3 from the top of the key.

"Coach Summitt has given me the confidence," Jackson said. "Someone else besides Tamika and Semeka have to step up."

Catchings added 14 points, while Randall, Ashley Robinson, Michelle Snow and LaToya Davis added 10 each for the Lady Vols, who have beaten the Lady Tigers 18 straight times.

Malissa Bush scored 15 points, Patrice Boyd 13 and Tiffany Adkins 12 for Memphis, which trailed by just 15 at halftime but struggled in the second half.

Catchings, who scored just one basket in Sunday's 70-62 win at Louisiana Tech, hit a 3 to give Tennessee a 66-43 lead. After Robinson hit a jumper in the lane, Catchings had a layup to put the Lady Vols up 70-45.

Davis' basket put the Lady Vols ahead 80-50 with 6:34 remaining.

Tennessee used a 16-0 run early in the first half to take control.

After Memphis cut the lead to one at 11-10 on Boyd's basket with 16:12 left, the Lady Tigers didn't score again until Melissa Abraham's basket 4½ minutes later made it 27-12.

Then Tennessee stretched its lead to 21 after Randall stole the ball and converted on the fastbreak for a 39-20 lead. Memphis couldn't get any closer than 13 after Bush made a basket with 30 seconds to go before halftime.

"At the half we were down by 15 and we felt that if we came out and played like we know we can, then we could have made it a closer game. We just never responded to the challenge," Adkins said.

Tennessee, ahead 50-35 at halftime, kept Memphis at bay in the second half with better rebounding.

The Lady Vols were outrebounded 13-12 in the first half, but grabbed 15 rebounds in the first 10 minutes of the second half and finished ahead 40-30.
 


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