The Tennessee Lady Volunteers logged a second consecutive home win Sunday afternoon with a 105-71 victory against Eastern Kentucky University.
Tennessee (4-4) wasted no time on the court, scoring 33 points in the first quarter alone. Moreover, five of those swooshes were 3-pointers, resulting in a 60% success rate in the first.
This efficiency quickly put the EKU Colonels (4-3) at a deficit, lending to an even larger gap in scoring as the game progressed.
Sunday’s matchup marked an especially monumental game for senior starter Jordan Horston. Halfway into the second quarter, Horston made history by becoming the 48th Lady Vol to log 1,000 points in her college career.
In that Horston’s freshman year with the team also happened to be head coach Kellie Harper’s inaugural season, the two share a special bond.
Following the game, Harper noted:
“It’s not easy to come into a program and play for a coach that did not recruit you, and she did. Our connection early on was really positive. She knows I love her and would do anything to help her and vice versa. I know she’s got my back as well . . . I’m just proud of who she’s become and who she wants to be.”
Horston logged 14 total points for the night. Meanwhile, Horston and Rikea Jackson both aided with eight rebounds, five assists and one steal each.
Jackson was also the team’s top point contributor, logging 15 points.
The second half of the game saw Tennessee transition its focus to scoring points in the paint.
Sophomore Sara Puckett rallied for the team by delivering six points, four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal during her 11 minutes on the court.
The Lady Vols ultimately powered right through Eastern Kentucky, whose players looked stunted under Tennessee’s exceptionally tall roster.
Tennessee’s 6’6” senior guard, Tamari Key, effectively positioned herself under the basket during her nine minutes of play, generating 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Defensively, however, the Lady Vols still have some room to grow. EKU senior guard Antwainette Walker posted 18 points during her 34 minutes on the court.
And while Tennessee’s 62 rebounds helped to counteract a good deal of that scoring, the team ultimately gave up a substantial 71 points to Eastern Kentucky.
Free throws were another point of contention for the team; whereas the Colonels celebrated 75% success from the foul line, Tennessee only capitalized on 47.4% of attempts.
Next up, the Lady Vols return to Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Dec. 4 to face Virginia Tech (6-0). The undefeated No. 9 Hokies currently sit 2nd in the ACC.
A win on Sunday would solidify Tennessee’s top rank in the SEC and likely provide a significant jump in current standings.
