“Lady Vols” hold off stubborn bunch of “Lady Tigers”

Rookies Anosik and Hornbuckle lead Tennessee 

Bi-Lo Center – Greenville, GA

Sr.-Loree Moore, Jr.-Shanna Zolman and rookie Alexis Hornbuckle all played keys roles imn the "Lady Vols" win.

The “Lady Tigers” from Auburn took full advantage of Tennessee being less than full strength with a couple of their high school All-American freshman out with injuries, jumping out to a 6-2 lead on baskets by Natasha Brackett and Marita Payne. Despite not being at full strength the “Orange & White are still the Tennessee “Lady Volunteers” and are still coached by one of the best hoop minds in the country in Head Coach Pat Summit and they went ahead 9-7 on a turn-around jumper by Tye’Sha Ely.

Brittany Jackson a 6-0 senior didn’t start but entered the game early and made an immediate impact drilling a three-pointer for the “Lady Volunteers”. Tennessee followed that up with another three by Loree Moore making the score 17-10. Auburn did a nice job of keeping their composure getting baskets from Aileen Rossouw and Brackett to cut the lead to 19-15. A jumper by highly touted freshman Alexis Hornbuckle and Jackson gave Tennessee a 25-21 haftime lead.

Auburn All-SEc performer Natasha Brackett gets this jumper off with a hand in her face.

Auburn got a three-pointer from Brackett to start the 3rd quarter, quickly cutting the lead to 25-24. A few seconds later the “Lady Tigers” tied the game at 28-28 on a fastbreak basket by Tanesheia Thompson. Tennessee got back-to-back three-pointers from Shanna Zolman and Loree Moore to take a 34-30 lead.

The teams continued to trade baskets back and forth before Auburn’s Nicole Louden drilled a three-pointer to tied the game at 35-35 with 13:08 to play. The “Lady Tigers” 6-5 junior Martia Payne made it difficult at times for the “Lady Vols” blocking several shots, Ely continued to challenge her though hitting a short jumper in the paint to give Tennessee a 43-39 lead.   

The “Lady Tigers” really came to play tonight fighting back to tie the game at 43-43 all with 8:35 to play after getting hoops from Louise Emeagi, Payne and a steal and lay-up by Louden. Down the stretch Nicky Anosike another one of those highly touted “Lady Vols” freshmen game up big scoring 5 points as Tennessee sprinted out to a three-point lead. Jackson drained a three-pointer making the score 50-45 Tennessee.

The referee keeps his eye on Auburn's 6-5, Jr.-Marita Payne and Tennessee rookie Jr.-Nicky Anosike.

With 4:05 to play Natasha Brackett who played tough all day scored back-to-back baskets to pull Auburn to within two 51-49. Hornbuckle and Anoaike scored two big hoops with 1:53 to play to open up a 56-49 lead. Turnovers and fouls hurt the “Lady Tigers” during the waning moments of the game. Three free-throws by Jackson and a fastbreak lay-up by Hornbuckle was all the margin Tennessee needed as they held off a stubborn Auburn “Lady Tigers” team to win 64-54 to move onto the semi-finals on Saturday night.

The Tennessee mascot was cool adding a little Hip-Hop to his game.

Scoring Recap

Tennessee

Nicky Anosike led 4 “Lady Vols” in double-figures with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals. Brittany Jackson and Shyra Ely each scored 11 points. Ely also grabbed 9 rebounds. Shanna Zolman finished with 10 points and Alexis Hornbuckle chipped in with 6 points and 7 rebounds.

Auburn