Tennessee continues to win close ones
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee is creating more drama than usual in producing its typical fast start.
Mercedes Russell had 12 points and five blocks Friday as the fourth-ranked Lady Volunteers held off several Albany threats down the stretch, outlasting the Great Danes 63-55 for their 27th consecutive home victory.
Tennessee (5-0) hasn’t lost at home since a 75-71 defeat to Kentucky on Feb. 16, 2014.
This game extended Tennessee’s recent trend of surviving close games at home. After blowing out Central Arkansas 102-47 in its season opener, the Lady Vols have won their past four games by a combined total of 20 points.
“It’s better to work through these things now than in April,” said Tennessee guard Diamond DeShields, who added 11 points. “We’re definitely getting better. I do feel we got better tonight. Albany did a great job defending us, but that’s what we need. They helped us get better.”
The Lady Vols actually should be happy if they are still working through these things in April since that’s when the Final Four takes place. But they should get an immediate indication of whether these early tests have helped in the short term. Tennessee hosts No. 8 Texas on Sunday.
Shereesha Richards had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead Albany (4-1). Imani Tate added 15 points, and Erin Coughlin scored 12.
NO. 2 SOUTH CAROLINA 60, NO. 16 ARIZONA STATE 58
HONOLULU — A’ja Wilson made two free throws with 0.6 seconds left to give No. 2 South Carolina a 60-58 victory over No. 16 Arizona State on Friday in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown.
Wilson and Bianca Cuevas each scored 18 points for the Gamecocks (5-0).
Arizona State (1-2) took a 58-56 lead on Katie Hempen’s 3-pointer from the left wing with 1:17 remaining. Alaina Coates got a putback on South Carolina’s next possession to tie it with just under a minute to play.
The Sun Devils had a chance to take the lead, but Hempen missed a 3-pointer and the Gamecocks got the ball back with 8.3 seconds left.
NO. 8 MISSISSIPPI ST. 92, NORFOLK ST. 34
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Victoria Vivians and Teaira McCowan each scored 20 points to help No. 8 Mississippi State beat Norfolk State 92-34 on Friday night.
Mississippi State (4-0) easily handled another overmatched opponent, jumping out to a 24-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs have won by an average of nearly 54 points during their four wins.
Vivians needed just 18 minutes on the court to do her offensive damage, making 8 of 14 shots, including 4 of 8 from three-point range.
McCowan also was efficient, making 9 of 12 shots and grabbing 11 rebounds in 18 minutes for the 6-foot-7 freshman’s third double-double in four games. Chinwe Okorie added 15 points.
NO. 10 TEXAS A&M 75, NO. 16 CALIFORNIA 58
LAS VEGAS — Gary Blair earned his 700th career victory with a lot of help from his two Courtneys.
Texas A&M’s coach reached the milestone victory behind Courtney Williams’ 32 points and Courtney Walker’s 18 as the No. 10 Aggies posted a victory over No. 16 California in the opening game of the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout on Friday.
He became the 16th coach in Division I history to reach that milestone in his 31st season. Only six coaches have done it in fewer seasons. He won 210 games at Stephen F. Austin, 198 at Arkansas and now has 292 at Texas A&M.
Williams, who shot 59 percent (14 for 24) from the field, started a 33-9 run for Texas A&M (5-0) with a basket that gave the Aggies an 18-17 lead at the end of the first quarter against California (4-1).