Lady Vols' scoring up, turnovers down in rout of Alabama State
Dan Fleser
After picking up two early fouls, Tennessee's Mercedes Russell thought women's basketball would be a spectator sport for her until after halftime Sunday afternoon.
Lady Vols coach Holly Warlick had a different idea and sent the senior center back in to start the second quarter.
"She needed more minutes," Warlick said. "Her second foul was not very smart and we talked about that. Mercedes Russell is a smart player. She figures out what she can and can't do."
Russell didn't foul again and scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second quarter of Tennessee's 104-51 rout of Alabama State before a crowd of 8,004 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Russell's points and 8-for-10 shooting, not to mention her early release from foul purgatory, reflected UT's day against an overmatched opponent. Everyone played at least 12 minutes, and six players scored in double figures. No. 13 Tennessee (8-0) scored 56 of its points from the foul lane area against the Lady Hornets and shot 51.3 percent from the floor (40-for-78).
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"We talked a lot about getting three quarters of our shots in the paint," Warlick said. "I don't have my calculator, but I think we did pretty good."
The Lady Vols also spoke of limiting their turnovers to 11. They committed just four, the lowest single-game total in the program's recorded history, according to UT. None of the turnovers occurred in the first half, and half of them came inside the final four minutes.
"It's awesome," Warlick said.
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The statistic spoke highly of the Lady Vols' focus. The 18 assists, in turn, said something about developing more on-court chemistry.
"I think in these kinds of games, I don't know if it's (gaining) confidence," guard Evina Westbrook said. "It's a good opportunity to work on things. It's a good opportunity to learn each other."
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For example, Russell is learning to keep her head up and hands ready when Westbrook has the basketball. The freshman guard assisted on three of Russell's baskets.
"I'm definitely loving me some guards," Russell said. "Evina, her drive and kick game is incredible. I always have to have my hands up and be ready."
Wanting to get it right
Warlick didn't stray far from her coaching role in commenting on Phillip Fulmer replacing John Currie as Tennessee's athletic director.
"I'm hired to coach basketball," she said. "... Our administration wants to get it right, and we're going to allow them to do that. I have a great relationship with Phillip. He did a great job as a football coach. He's been a big ambassador for us.
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"I think everybody wants to get it right."
Kushkituah still out
Freshman center Kasi Kushkituah missed a second consecutive game with a left foot injury suffered in practice on Wednesday. The only apparent upgrade in her status was that she wasn't wearing a boot.
"She hadn't practiced, so she wasn't going to go," Warlick said. "She's getting there."
Up next
Tennessee faces Troy at home at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. The Trojans (4-1), whom UT beat 110-84 last season, are averaging 91.8 points per game and have five players averaging in double figures scoring-wise.
The game will be Tennessee's final tuneup before a home date with No. 4 Texas on Sunday.
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