(9) Tennessee (5-2) vs. Louisiana Tech (4-2)
Game Info: 7:30 pm EST Wed Dec 15, 2004
Alexis Hornbuckle and Sybil Dosty have no time for nerves. Tennessee needs them now.
Hornbuckle and Dosty will look to follow up their impressive performances from their last game when the No. 9 Lady Vols visit Louisiana Tech on Wednesday.
``Louisiana Tech is a tough place to play,'' Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. ``I am a little surprised (that they are not in the Top 25), but La Tech is dangerous and is a team that comes on very strong. If you watch what they have done in the past, this is not totally uncharacteristic.
``At their place, they are a transition team, up and down, and that is one of our biggest concerns right now.''
Hornbuckle, a 5-foot-11 freshman, was forced into the starting lineup against No. 15 DePaul on Sunday after senior Loree Moore was hospitalized to have her tonsils removed during the week. Moore could be out up to a month.
Hornbuckle overcame a shaky first half to score 15 points as the Lady Vols (5-2) rallied from 15 points down to win 78-63.
``Alexis started on her heels and ended on her toes,'' Summitt said. ``She was backing up on defense. When we weren't in transition, she was too tentative. She was careless with the basketball.
``She turned it around in the game. She made an adjustment after halftime. She needed to understand where she needed to start. She was very aggressive and created opportunities.''
Reserve center Dosty, a 6-3 freshman, finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Dosty, who is averaging 5.7 points and 3.8 boards, said she plans to contribute on a regular basis from now on.
``When I get a chance, I want to take advantage of it,'' Dosty said. ``I want to do what I know I can do.''
It appears Tennessee will continue to need the added offense from Hornbuckle and Dosty because it is averaging just 64 points and features just one player scoring in double figures -- Shyra Ely at 11.9 per game.
Louisiana Tech (4-2) is coming off a 62-61 win at Alcorn State on Monday.
Shan Moore had 18 points, while Tasha Crain added 13 for the Lady Techsters, who shot just 37.5 percent in the second half, and committed 25 turnovers overall.
Moore and Crain, who combined to shoot 12-of-25 on Monday, are each averaging 13.8 points per game.
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