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Lady Vols survive scare
Hornbuckle scores 25 as No. 1 beats No. 4
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Tennessee and North Carolina made a women's basketball date in early December look and feel a lot like April.
The Lady Vols didn't cut down any nets after their 83-79 victory Sunday night before a crowd of 16,845 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Instead, they exhaled a sigh of relief after surviving a struggle that lasted down to the final five seconds.
"I'm really pleased with our toughness down the stretch,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said.
Lady Vols guard Alexis Hornbuckle covered for teammate Candace Parker's sluggish start and finished with a game-high 25 points. She swished two late free throws and then sealed the victory with a breakaway layup behind Carolina's press with two seconds left.
Hornbuckle's clincher came after North Carolina freshman Rebecca Gray, who came into the game 14-for-14 from the free-throw line, missed the second of three attempts with 5.5 seconds left and the Tar Heels trailing 81-79.
Parker finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Fifteen of her points came in the second half.
Point guard Shannon Bobbitt was UT's other double-figure scorer with 10 points.
Top-ranked Tennessee (6-0) built double-figure leads in both halves.
The Lady Vols made six of their first seven shots to start the second half.
They had their biggest lead - 74-61 - with just 6:28 left.
Yet No. 4 North Carolina (9-1) stalked them to the end, buoyed by 22 points from Erlana Larkins and 19 from Rashanda McCants. A whopping 57-39 rebounding advantage was led by Larkins' 15 rebounds.
"They did a great job of getting the ball inside and working the glass,'' Summitt said. "We couldn't move them inside."
Tar Heels reserve Jessica Breland added 14 points and LaToya Pringle had 10.
"I hope you were impressed with my team tonight,'' North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell told an assembly of media and fans afterward, "because I was. … We fought back. We fought hard. We were in position to win the game."
With a 60-32 edge in points from close-range, Hatchell couldn't figure out how the Lady Vols attempted 11 more free throws (26-15), which afforded them a 20-8 edge in free-throw scoring.
North Carolina freshman point guard Cetera DeGraffenreid, who had seven turnovers and zero assists, fouled out with 6:28 left and took a slow walk to her team's bench. McCants fouled with 13.8 seconds left and Carolina trailing 79-78.
"The foul line was the difference,'' Hatchell said. "The numbers don't lie. You can look at this and read it."
Tennessee's top-scoring trio reflected the hard-fought nature of the game.
Parker struggled to get off a shot, let alone make a basket, against the Tar Heels defense in the first half. A combination of defenders shut down Parker's workshop around the basket. She had just six points and six shots before the break. Tennessee's All-American went nearly 12 minutes without so much as a single shot attempt.
"I think in the first half I was disappointed in myself,'' Parker said. "My energy wasn't where it needed to be."
Bobbitt's mismanagement of the shot clock played a part in UT's sputtering finish as Carolina gathered three consecutive turnovers and nearly wiped out a seven-point deficit inside the final two minutes.
Bobbitt was caught unaware by the ticking clock, but she knows what to expect in the coming practice sessions.
"We're going to have the shot clock down to 15 seconds and I'm going to be aware of it,'' Bobbitt said.
Finally, for all of Hornbuckle's heroics, she committed the foul on Gray that sent the Tar Heels sharpshooter to the foul line with a chance to tie the score.
"Not again,'' thought Hornbuckle, recalling a similar situation in a game against Connecticut her freshman season.
"I am so intense. I feel like I have to contest every shot,'' she said. "I should have let it go. I would've been heart-broken if that would've been the reason we lost."
Hornbuckle's heart was fine. The outcome was safe - but not without considerable effort.
Hatchell already was turning the pages of a calendar in her mind, thinking about a possible rematch.
"Hopefully, we'll get to see Tennessee again,'' Hatchell said, "which would probably be in the Final Four."
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by vww on December 2, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrific --awesome ---enduring game LADY VOLS---and proud of the team!!! You definitely will go all the way this year!!!!!!
Posted by tngeoff on December 2, 2007 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LADY VOLS! Great game and GREAT finish! Keep it rollin'!
Posted by mad_poly_uct on December 2, 2007 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That was a fun game to watch...love the look of your remodeled B/T Arena.1st class facility.WNBA should look to put team in there.Conn. Sun has worked, it would surely work there...
Posted by VolnFlorida on December 2, 2007 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Lady Vols. You continue to be the gem of
UT athletics.
Posted by jh43 on December 2, 2007 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would love to be excited and encouraged, but getting stomped on the boards, and standing around allowing the ball to be taking out of our hands for easy lay-ups to almost take the game away is certainly no way to add comfort to LV fans.
It is a good thing we were playing at home. If we do not get the fire in our bellies to play 40 minutes we will be beaten.
NC played harder than we did. Champions do not take plays off.
I would love to go undefeated and lift nr. 8, but we have a long way to go.
Sorry if this sounds negative, but the truth is the truth, even when it involves our beloved Lady Vols.
Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on December 3, 2007 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love watching the Lady Vols!!!!!!!!!!
Excitement,enthusiasm,determination,etc...
Wish the same could be said for the football team.
Maybe Pat would consider, nahhh.Wishful thinking!
Go Lady Vols!
Posted by tngeoff on December 3, 2007 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mad_poly_uct,
Did you see my reply on the earlier column?
Posted by k0605 on December 3, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
-18 in rebounding is a cause for concern. The LV's had trouble with Oklahoma's Paris that is the same size as Larkins. That type of player is Tenn's achilles heel. Hopefully there aren't many more of them on the schedule. Anosike is the key to this team. If she rebounds, no one beats the Lady Vols.
Posted by johnlg00 on December 3, 2007 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right, jh43. Anosike's foul trouble hurt, but there were several times when it seemed that there were three Lady Vols around the ball with their hands down while one Tar Heel just went up and snatched it. With the exception of Anosike and, on occasion (like tonight, to be fair), Parker, we don't have any inside players who GO AFTER the ball off the boards. If a ball comes down where our players are, they will raise their hands to keep it from hitting them in the face, but one doesn't get the sense that anyone except Anosike actually tracks the ball when it is released and then goes after it like they mean to get it! I can understand why Hatchell was upset about the free-throw disparity, but the fact is that we just didn't put up much physical resistance to their inside dominance. I love Pat and the Lady Vols, but I'll bet she is telling the team the same thing today. I'm glad to get the win, but this team has a LONG way to go in building a tougher mental attitude if it wants to repeat as national champions.
Posted by rockytopron on December 3, 2007 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jh43 - you sound alot like the football fans who expect perfection on every play.
We won! we will get better and even if we lose a couple of games as long as we win the last one it doesn't matter.
The Lady Vols played great in spurts,keep in mind that this was only our 6th game and every game they play they have the big target on their back.
Great win lady vols!
Posted by jopad on December 3, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am from DeGraffenrieds area in N.C. Saw her play in high school. Really quick and fast. Bet she will rethink her decision to choose the Tarheels over the Lady Vols!!
Posted by LazhilUT on December 3, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good to see that the Lady Vols don't choke against big names...now the football team...
Posted by fortandrews on December 3, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure Pat will get their attention. You WIN with DEFENCE, don't STAND arround and most of all "HIT THE BOARDS", there are two ends of the court. And there are 5 playing at a time - NOT just ONE. They do not need a PEP TALK to get ready -they should be READY at ALL TIMES - if not there is plenty of room on the bench. Get on them Pat.
Posted by threehundredbowler on December 3, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rockeytopron,how can you say this is only their 6th game when there are 4 starters returning?Seems to be a vetern team to me.It is hard to rebound standing flat footed and waiting for the ball to come to you.North Carolina showed everyone how you are supposed to go for,not wait for rebounds.
Posted by pdhuff on December 3, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Pat, you are the "BOMB"! Show others you CAN defeat the Fla,s etc. on your schedule. The 5 P's always prevail. Prior Planning Prevents Pi##poor Performance. Lord, if we had that "look" on the sidelines. I digress, congrats, Lady Vols! Don't ever (and I know you won't) take the laissez faire approach to competing! Merry Christmas.
Posted by lempga on December 3, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It appeared the intensity just was not there at times. Several Lady Vols were just standing around when ball came off rim or board. If you are taller then your opponent, you still have to jump to get rebounds.
I saw more fire from Tar Heels than Lady Vols.
I will always support the Lady Vols though.
Pat, it is time to do some chewing and get fire in their bellies. I thought when they lost the National Team, they would realize that they could be beaten.
Posted by msdyb on December 3, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was the first time I have been able to watch our Lady Vols play this year, other than a selected few highlights of games. I realize that the bottom line is that we won the game but I am a little bit concerned that I did not see the "killer instinct" from our team that has been evident in teams of the past. We had the opportunities to put Carolina away several times but didn't. We let them slip back into the game. I also realize that we played an exceptional team but WE are an "extremely exceptional" team in our own right. Several of our big time players seemed to get brain freeze in the last several minutes of the game, which isn’t consistent with a Pat Summitt, coached team. On the other hand, Nicky's play in the last several moments of the game saddled with four fouls was exceptional. If we are going to repeat as NC we are going to have to get that "killer instinct" back, unlock our brains from freezing up at crucial times of the game and get on the boards offensively and defensively a lot more that we did. Overall, a great win for the Lady Vols that helps solidify our top ranking. We better get ready for the SEC grind as there are several teams looking real good - LSU and Georgia - to name a couple, that will pose a challenge to the Lady Vols.
On another note, the two announcers from ESPN, Mowins and the ex-Florida coach Peck, were so biased in their game presentation it made me sick to my stomach. But what do you expect from ESPN anyway. They have always been that way in regards to our Lady Vols. If it weren't for Kara Lawson it would be more evident than it already is. Next thing you know they will have Taurasi and Lobo announcing the game with "Beano" Geno doing the on court interviews.
Posted by shopsports on December 3, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This game was such a pleasant alternative to those ESPN guys talking bowl games like they THINK WE CARE what they think. Go Girls!!!! PS Peck made me sick too. She was obviously aniti-TN. What was with those officials too? Could they have been more pro Carolina? Hope the rest are less nerve racking for everybody. We should be exceptional. Very proud as always!!!
Posted by sgtvols on December 3, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its a toss-up which i like best the volettes or my grandkids. Neither are perfect (hope my daughter doesn't see this)Last night showed us a real problem, getting out-rebounded by 18 is unbelievable. we have to correct this, I need another nat champ. Life is gonna be lonely without Parker, we need to do it this year. Hopefully Cain will soon join us.
Posted by bigorangefan73 on December 3, 2007 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with jh43.There lucky we were at home any were else that would have been a lose.we cant stand there with the ball and look around like were lost not playing NC.great win.I think pat will fix that problem.keep up the hard work work and GO LADY VOLS.At least the ladys can win the big game.
Posted by volchiq on December 3, 2007 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the game and I kept thinking, "Okay, now we are going to get down to business and put them away." But it was like they were content to let them hang around. While Alexis was high scorer and had the most energy, she was also caught playing out of control a couple of times.
I guess I should just be happy Alexis showed a spark, probably 80% of the time after a shot there was a lot of standing flat footed with no blocking out at all. None.
I love Pat, but I was kind of disappointed that she didn't mention the rebounding disparity in her post game comments. But I might have missed that while I was standing in the rain waiting for the bus. :)
Posted by mad_poly_uct on December 3, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tngeoff...thanks for reminding me to go back and look....as I re-read my post and thought about it a bit more, I apologize if I sounded a bit snippy, so for argument/compromise sake,I'll put it this way...Most storied hoop programs...Celts,UCLA,Tenn.Lady Vols, and not necessarily in that order.NBA is whole different animal,UCLA dominated most of 60's & early 70's,but Tenn. has been at the top of its game for nearly 3 plus decades AND graduates 100% of its players, something no program men or womens can lay claim to(none I know of anyway), so,indeed the argument for "most storied" can be made."most storied" doesn't have to mean most championships...forgive me if my Uconn pride got in the way of lucid judgement! And forgive me for hoping Uconn throws in the occasional detour on Tenn.'s march to the inevitable "...most storied program of all time..." Good luck w/ rest of season...sure do hope we can meet in March! Oh, and btw,you're assessment of Uconn football is pretty much right on.I could nit pick some points, but that's about all it would be....
Posted by tngeoff on December 3, 2007 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mad_poly_uct,
We're in sync and I hope you're right about March! Good luck and have a GREAT season!
Posted by mparker on December 4, 2007 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jn43
well said;
was watching with my teenage daughter and she was picking up on some things: 'dad, they quit playing hard; where's the passing?; what is Candace DOING????'
The most positive takeaway is we won against a really tough team while not playing very well at the end.
UT's girls did draw fouls, that's how they stopped Candace, so Hatchell can quit whining on that one. The tape will show her that.
Part of the edge in rebounding came because the UNC girls were big, wide bodies moving people out, which is, well, a foul. Those DIDN'T get called.
Posted by mparker on December 4, 2007 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gotta add something: you just had to lvoe the wayi UNC came back and kept working. sure, we didn't keep the hammer down on the 6-minute mark.
Really do wish Hatchell hadn't whined, that took away from her teams gutty play.
McCants is terrific!
I'm guessing Pat will be able to leverage the tape on this game for quite a while....as someone wrote last year, she's learned when to smack and when to hug. I'm thinking 'smack' for this game.
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