Saturday, November 26, 2005

Tennessee Lady Volunteers/Gonzaga Bulldogs Recap

(2) Tennessee 79, Gonzaga 65

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Unhappy with her team's performance in the first half, Tennessee coach Pat Summitt gave her players a quick history lesson.

Nicky Anoskie scored 15 points to lead No. 2 Tennessee to its fourth straight victory, 79-65 over Gonzaga in the Paradise Jam tournament on Friday night.

Tye'sha Fluker added 13 points and Candace Parker 12 for the Lady Vols, who face No. 10 Maryland on Saturday. The Terps defeated No. 9 Michigan State 75-61.

Anne Bailey scored 22 points and Katy Ridenour had 17 points for Gonzaga, which faces Michigan State on Saturday.

Gonzaga shot 58.8 percent in a first half that included four ties and six lead changes. Tennessee led by seven points at the break.

Summitt wasn't happy with the Lady Vols' first-half effort.

"I told them, 'You just don't understand. It's Tennessee,"' Summitt said. "So, we had a little history lesson at halftime. "I said, 'You have to understand, everyone is going to bring their A game against you.'

"I told them I'm not going to motivate you. You motivate yourself. This is your team. There wasn't any panic. You've got to understand, we started two freshmen, two sophomores and one senior. We are young. We're a young basketball team."

Tennessee started the second half with more energy and extended its lead to 21 points in the first five minutes of the second half.

Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves was pleased with his team's effort.

"I've never been one for moral victories, but I'm really proud of our team," Graves said. "We didn't give in and give up."

Summitt was excited about a matchup against Maryland.

"It will be a whole different game. We're ready," Summitt said. "They're impressive, very talented, and we have to be ready to play.

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