Lady Vols End Lady Techsters' Streak
It's a good sign for No. 2 Tennessee coach Pat Summitt: The Lady Vols can win even when Tamika Catchings has an off-game.
Catchings scored only 2 points, leaving Tennessee (7-0) relying on Ashley Robinson and Gwen Jackson, who came up with 14 points each in a 70-62 victory over No. 12 Louisiana Tech (7-3) on Sunday.
"I struggled the whole game, although I felt like I helped the team outside of offense," Catchings said. "The game is more than just scoring."
She came into the game averaging 15 points, but she was 1-of-11 from the field and 0-4 in 3-pointers against Louisiana Tech. She had three assists and three steals.
"Tech brought out the physicalness of our team on the inside," Summitt said. "This is a perfect game for us to check on our post play."
Robinson and Jackson helped the Lady Vols build on a 40-36 halftime lead. The Lady Vols went on a 14-5 run with 11:20 left and held off the Lady Techsters.
Robinson was 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line, and added five rebounds. Jackson was 5-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the line.
Louisiana Tech got within 5 with 2:55 remaining on 3-pointers from Ayana Walker and Amber Obaze.
Walker, averaging 16 points a game, led the Lady Techsters (7-3) with 26 points. Takeisha Lewis added 19 points.
Tennessee outrebounded Louisiana Tech 50-39.
The loss ended a 30-home game winning streak for the Lady Techsters.
Tennessee and Louisiana Tech have played each other 33 times since 1978, with Tech owning 17 victories.
"I honestly felt like we could have won this game," said Lady Techsters coach Leon Barmore. "The thing about Tennessee is that they have so many good players coming off the bench."
The Lady Vols' reserves outscored Louisiana Tech's reserves 24-10.
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