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There were plenty of memories for Angie and Jami Bjorklund from their first competitive meeting.

The score sheet alone tallied eight apiece - the number of baskets for each sister in Tennessee's 96-73 women's basketball victory over Gonzaga on Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Angie's total included seven 3-pointers as she scored a career-high 23 points for top-ranked Tennessee (9-0). Jamie countered with slightly better accuracy (8-for-13) in scoring 19 for Gonzaga (6-4).

"I really didn't know what to expect coming into it,'' Jami said. "I didn't think it would be as fun as it was. It was a very memorable moment for me in my life."

Jami's visit got a boost from the announced crowd of 14,598, which gave her a warm ovation when she was introduced. She described the gesture as "really awesome."

As for Angie, she scored some points with coach Pat Summitt for not losing her cool over guarding her sister.

"I felt it would tell a lot about her emotional attitude,'' Summitt said. "Would she lose her composure, be on edge?"

Judging by her 8-for-14 field-goal shooting (7-for-12 on treys), zero turnovers and two steals in 35 playing minutes, Angie held up fine.

Although Jami couldn't keep up with her sister's scoring, she did have a hand in preventing Angie from breaking former Lady Vol Shanna Zolman's single-game record for 3-pointers. Angie, who had tied the mark, re-entered the game late with a record purpose in mind. She tipped off her sister about her quest.

"I need one more three, can you cut me some slack?" Angie asked.

Jami replied: "I'm not letting you touch the ball."

"Yeah, I made that mistake,'' Angie said.

Angie actually touched the ball and squeezed the trigger on several attempts before failing.

The Bjorklund shootout typified the game, which put a greater premium on offense.

Along with Angie, Tennessee had four other double-figure scorers and shot better than 50 percent from the floor for virtually the whole game, finishing at 50.7 percent. Candace Parker had 18 points in 19 minutes. Nicky Anosike scored 14. Alexis Hornbuckle had 13 and reserve Vicki Baugh scored 11.

Point guard Shannon Bobbitt had a deft hand in spreading the scoring wealth, recording a career-high 13 assists while committing one turnover.

"I told her at halftime that she got everyone involved,'' Summitt said. "When she does that, we have better ball movement. We have better inside-outside play. And obviously we're far more efficient."

Gonzaga's performance compared favorably, considering the Bulldogs were without top player Heather Bowman. The 6-foot-2 sophomore forward, the team leader in scoring (21.2 points per game) and rebounding (10.1), suffered a broken hand in practice Wednesday.

"You battle the front line they have, every weapon you have is important,'' Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves said.

The Bulldogs covered for Bowman's absence with three double-figure scorers and 54.8 percent field-goal shooting (17-for-31) in the second half.

In her third game back from a broken finger, forward Vivian Frieson, who was averaging one point per game, scored a team-high 21 points, shooting 9-for-11 from the field.

Along with Jami, Courtney Vandersloot added 15 points.

Gonzaga's performance didn't say a lot for the Lady Vols' defensive effort, particularly given their edge in height and athleticism.

Aside from singling out some breakdowns by the younger players, Summitt didn't say too much. Her review of the game video will continue through today's trip to Los Angeles in advance of Wednesday's game at UCLA.

"We have a long flight, she said. "We can learn a lot about ourselves."

Dan Fleser covers women's basketball. He can be reached at 865-342-6288.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.