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  Saturday, Nov. 18 7:00pm ET
Vols open with victory over DePaul
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Gwen Jackson wants more games like this, and second-ranked Tennessee wouldn't mind, either.

Kristen Clement
DePaul's Molly Watson, left, and Kristen Clement wrestle for possession.
Jackson had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Lady Vols' 94-52 victory Saturday over DePaul in the season opener for both teams. She came into this season determined to be a force.

"I think last year I let them down," the sophomore center said. "I went out this summer and had a game plan to come back this season to contribute to the team,"

Jackson scored in double figures in only seven games last season in limited playing time. Tennessee coach Pat Summitt saw the difference in practice and put her in the starting lineup.

"She has really made a lot of improvement since last season," Summitt said. "Her play has really been a bright spot. She was relentless on the boards."

Semeka Randall added 16 points and Tamika Catchings 14 points and 10 rebounds. It was their performances last season that inspired Jackson.

"When I see Tamika and Semeka playing hard, it's hard to sit back and just watch them and not give any effort," Jackson said. "I just want to play harder. My teammates deserve it."

Freshmen Ashley Robinson and LaToya Davis each added 11 points as the Lady Vols, playing four freshmen in different lineups, used furious defensive pressure and rebounding to pull away from DePaul.

Tennessee also outmanned the Blue Demons by using 11 players. It was hard to decipher the starters from the reserves.

"I'm pleased we didn't have any dropoff. I thought our bench responded well," Summitt said.

DePaul was led by Lenae Williams' 22 points. Molly Watson finished with 11 and Jamie Smith with 10.

Tennessee's offense showed up in spurts in the first half and was more consistent in the second as the Lady Vols built on a 43-31 halftime lead.

Randall hit a jumper from the right wing to put Tennessee ahead 57-40 with 12:52 and then went to the bench. The Lady Vols didn't need her.

The Blue Demons pulled within 60-42 on Williams' shot with 11:30 remaining, but the Lady Vols scored 14 straight points and held DePaul scoreless for four minutes until Smith hit two free throws.

Davis hit a 3-pointer and a jumper after a steal by Kyra Elzy and put Tennessee up 74-44 with 6:39 left. Then the Lady Vols' transition game took over.

"We made it a game for 10 to 15 minutes, but then the second half was disappointing," said DePaul coach Doug Bruno. "There is no magic to beating Tennessee. We just have to be more competitive."

Tennessee took a 12-point halftime lead after a furious 10-0 run.

Smith hit a putback with 4:08 left before halftime to cut the Lady Vols' lead to 31-26, but DePaul didn't score again until three minutes later. Kara Lawson and Catchings hit baskets, then Randall turned on the pressure. She made one basket, then grabbed a steal at the other end and scored on a fast break. After another steal, Lawson passed to Randall for another fast-break basket for a 41-26 lead with 1:52 remaining in the first half.

The Blue Demons closed to within three points on three occasions in the first half. Watson made a field goal and a 3-pointer to close to 14-13, and Briana Fitzgerald's shot with 11:16 left made it 16-15. Williams cut it to 20-17 at 8:44.

Tennessee shot 14-for-19 from the line in the first half and outrebounded DePaul 51-23 in the game.

Tennessee's Michelle Snow and Shalon Pillow did not dress for the game. Snow and Pillow served a one-game suspension for violating team rules.

Summitt was honored before the game for her induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
 


ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard

DePaul Clubhouse

Tennessee Clubhouse


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