Three takeaways from Tennessee Lady Vols’ 69-39 win vs. Chattanooga

Once again without lots of key players, the Tennessee Lady Vols actually won this game. Kellie Harper’s team got back on track Tuesday night and beat the Chattanooga Mocs 69-39 to get back to .500. They are still looking to get above .500 for the first time this season.

With Jillian Hollingshead back but this time without Tamari Key and still without Rickea Jackson and Jasmine Franklin, UT used a 13-2 run in the first quarter to head into the second up 19-8. They maintained control the rest of the way, going on an 11-0 run from the end of the first to the start of the second to take a 26-8 lead.

Rocky Top improves to 5-5 on the year and will next host the Wright State Raiders this coming Sunday. Chattanooga falls to 6-5 on the year and has eight days off before visiting the North Alabama Lions a week from Thursday. Here are three things we learned from the Tennessee Lady Vols’ win.

1. Defense was the name of the game.

Holding a team to under 40 points is always an impressive accomplishment at any level of basketball when there is a shot clock and at least 40 minutes of play. UT deserves a ton of credit for that. Chattanooga shot 14-of-46 from the field and 3-of-12 from three. They were 8-of-11 from the foul line, so shooting was fine when uncontested.

That means Rocky Top was aggressive within play. They forced 21 turnovers, including seven steals. Jordan Horston and Jordan Walker each had two steals. A testament to the defense is that Horston had 14 points and was the only player to hit double figures, and UT still dominated.

2. Interior still won the night despite absences.

Building off of our last point, the Tennessee Lady Vols had eight blocks despite no Key, Jackson or Franklin. Sara Puckett of all people stepped up and had two blocks. Horston, always the best player, had two blocks as well, and in her return, Hollingshead had two off the bench.

Also, UT outrebounded the Mocs 38-27. Karoline Striplin did what she needed to do in place of Key, but the guards also helped down low, as Jasmine Powell had six rebounds. Hollingshead added five off the bench, and Justine Pissott had four, as did Walker.

3. Three-point shooting returned.

Having to play small meant Rocky Top would need some elite shooting to make sure this was a blowout, and they got it in this one. UT was 6-of-17 from the three-point line, exactly where they needed to be. Horston. funny enough, was the star, hitting both of her attempts. She was 6-of-8 on the night.

Beyond Horston, though, Puckett, Tess Darby and even Striplin each hit a three, and Pissott had one off the bench. This is supposed to be a huge part of the Tennessee Lady Vols’ identity under Harper, and with so many post players out, it’s even more crucial. They delivered tonight, but they need to do it more.