LSU vs. Tennessee

“Lady Vols” upend LSU to win SEC Championship

Tennessee - "The Big Game Hunters!"

Bi-Lo Center – Greenville, SC

Shyra Ely who was named the tournament’s MVP scored a game high 25 points to lead the “Lady Vols”.

As the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC started to fill up for the 2005 SEC Championship game between the No. 1 ranked and top seeded “Lady Tigers” from LSU and the No. 5 ranked and 2nd seeded “Lady Volunteers” from Tennessee the atmosphere started to feel like that of the finals of the NCAA Championship Game. The fans and bands from the respective teams were jacked and the Tennessee mascot got early rave reviews for his jazzy outfit and moves on the court.

With the Tennessee band blasting out the theme from Superman the “Lady Vols” hit the court, a few seconds later the No. 1 ranked “Lady Tigers” from LSU busted onto the court as the fans rose up and applauded wildly.

The game started out just like a championship game should with a lot of intensity, Tennessee’s 6-2 senior Shyra Ely and LSU’s 6-3 senior Tillie Willis (from Mapleton, GA) both tried to established early that each was going to control the paint; both players scored their teams first 4 points. On their 3rd trip down the floor Tennessee dumped the ball again inside to Ely who made a tough inside move on Willis to draw a foul; she hit both free-throws tying the game at 6-6. Wills took a seat on the bench and 6-5 freshman Syliva Fowles quickly entered the game.

Seimone Augustus led the “Lady Tigers” scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds

Fowles made her presence felt early as she started crashing the boards, her 2 free-throws gave the “Lady Tigers” a 12-10 lead. Two other heralded freshman 5-11 Alexis Hornbuckle and 6-4 Nicky Anosike from Tennessee were also making their presence felt early playing tough defense and rebounding. Brittany Jackson has been a spark off of the Tennessee bench all tournament long, she entered the game and on queue drilled a three-pointer to give the “Lady Vols” a 13-12 lead.

Last years “Player of the Year” Seimone Augustus started getting her groove on for the “Lady Tigers” completing a three-point play and getting a nice feed from Temeka Johnson to score again as LSU took a 17-15 lead. Even with the 6-5 Fowles in the game for LSU Ely was not going to be denied hitting a jump-hook to tie the game at 17-17.

The action was just incredible as both teams continued to jab and counter jab until Tye’sha Fluker a 6-5 junior for Tennessee knocked down a baseline jumper to give the “Lady Vols” a 27-23 lead as the sea of orange clad Tennessee fans went crazy. Augustus quickly silenced the pro-Tennessee crowd coming back down and hitting a jumper that cut the lead to two 27-25 with 3:56 left in the half. The “Lady Tigers” went on an 8-0 run at the end of the half getting baskets from Augustus, Fowles and a bigtime three-pointer at the buzzer from Johnson giving LSU a 37-31 halftime lead.

LSU's Sylvia Fowles blocks 1 of the 4 shots she swatted in the game.

Fowles who is an awesome defensive player continued to show glimpses of how unstoppable she’s going to be once she learns how to play offense, she opened up the 2nd half with another basket inside as the “Lady Tigers” opened up a 39-35 lead. Augustus picked up where she left off scoring two quick baskets. Likewise Ely stayed on top of her game and the “Lady Tigers” as she grabbed a rebound and dribbled it the length of the court to score to keep Tennessee within striking range.

A jumper by Brittany Jackson at the 15:41 mark put the “Lady Vols” back in front 42-41. For some reason despite the close game it appeared that Tennessee was playing with more intensity and hunger. As the time continued to run down the excitement continued to build; Augustus tied the game at 51-51 with 10:59 left in the game.

Temeka Johnson added 13 points and a game high 12 assists for LSU.

A big block by Fluker resulted in a three-pointer by sophomore Dominique Redding who entered the game for the “Lady Vols” and played with a lot of aggressiveness. Augustus missed two big free-throws with 6:00 minutes to go but redeemed herself a few moments later hitting two to put the “Lady Tigers” back on top 58-56. Fowles also converted two free-throws after being fouled ripping down a rebound pushing the lead up to 4 points 60-56.

Just when it seemed like LSU was going to seal the deal Tennessee junior Shanna Zolman busted a bigtime three-pointer to cut the lead to 60-59. Fowles grabbed another big rebound and scored opening up a 63-59 lead with 1:50 left in the game. Johnson’s jumper made the score 65-61 as the LSU bench jumped with joy.

Players go to schools like LSU and Tennessee just for these types of games and moments, Zolman was in the moment when she busting another three-pointer with :54 seconds to play cutting the lead to one 65-64. Tennessee went ahead 66-65 when senior Loree Moore stole the ball and hit Ely flying to the basket for the score with :31 tics on the clock.

Tennessee junior Shanna Zolman hit 2 bigtime three-pointer atthe end of the game.

A LSU turnover with :11 seconds to play gave the ball back to Tennessee and they were forced to foul Hornbuckle sending her to the line. The rookie stepped to the line and hit 1 of 2 free-throws, Florence Williams grabbed the rebound for LSU and got the ball to junior Scholanda Hoston who pushed the ball up the court and attempted a three-pointer that was short, Fluker grabbed the rebound and as the horn sounded the Tennessee players rushed onto the court with joy and excitement having just upended top seed and tourney favorite LSU 67-65.

The win was the14th SEC Championship for Tennessee and the 13th for Head Coach Pat Summitt during brilliant coaching career at Tennessee. The win also pulls her to within one game of tying the legendary former Head Coach of the North Carolina “Tarheels” Dean Smith in overall victories. Smith is currently at 878 career wins while Coach Summit now stands at 877.

Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt and son Tyler cut down the nets after winingthe SEC Championship.

Scoring Recap

Tennessee

Shyra Ely who was named the tournament’s MVP scored a game high 25 points to lead the “Lady Vols”. Alexis Hornbuckle added 9 points and 8 rebounds. Shanna Zolman finished with 8 points (2 three-pointers). Loree Moore and Dominique Redding each chipped in with 7 points.

LSU