EARLY ENDER
Lady Vols’ turnovers lead to 20-point loss; Jackson boot-less
Tennessee’s game against Ohio State was over by the fourth quarter on Sunday.
Whether it was the Buckeyes’ fullcourt press or the Lady Vols’ own mistakes, Tennessee basketball turned the ball over again and again, making it impossible to come back from an early deficit.
No. 22 Tennessee lost 78-58 to No. 13 Ohio State on Sunday at ThompsonBoling Arena at Food City Center. The Lady Vols (4-4) committed 20 turnovers, which led to 28 points for OSU (6-1).
Only two Lady Vols barely scored in double figures and they shot just 35% from the field. They got outrebounded, outscored in the paint and outworked by Ohio State, dropping their fourth ranked matchup of the season.
Tennessee was without Rickea Jackson for a sixth game, but the star forward wasn’t wearing a boot for the first time since she has been sidelined.
Tennessee turnovers give Ohio State big lead at halftime
Ohio State bothered Tennessee with its full-court press and scored some easy points early on. The Lady Vols eventually settled in and started breaking the press, but then they turned the ball over in the halfcourt too much to keep it close. Ohio State took a 43-28 at halftime.
Tennessee had 10 turnovers in the first half, and Ohio State scored 16 points off them. The Buckeyes were also outrebounding UT 22-19 at halftime and were outscoring it 20-10 in the paint.
No Lady Vols scored in double figures by halftime and Tennessee struggled most in the second quarter when it shot 27.3%. Tennessee didn’t score more than 16 points in any quarter.
Tamari Key sees extended minutes after sitting out Notre Dame
Senior center Tamari Key didn’t see the court in Tennessee’s loss to Notre Dame on Wednesday, but played 16 minutes Sunday. It’s the most Key has played in a game all season – her previous high was seven minutes.
Key has seen limited minutes this season as she returns to play from blood clots in her lungs that kept her sidelined last season.
She made an immediate impact on both ends of the court against Ohio State and had nine points and four rebounds.
Her size in the paint bothered OSU and she had two blocks and a steal.
Tennessee reserves step up with slow night for starters
Tennessee’s reserves scored the majority of the points Sunday, led by Destinee Wells’ 11 points.
Jasmine Powell, Jewel Spear, Tess Darby, Sara Puckett and Jillian Hollingshead started for the Lady Vols and combined for only 23 points. After a rough start to the third quarter, coach Kellie Harper called a timeout less than two minutes in and pulled all the starters.
Tennessee’s reserves ended with a combined 35 points.