KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 5 Lady Vols bested Carson-Newman in Sunday’s exhibition game by a landslide score of 108-63 in Thompson-Boling Arena.
The first quarter was somewhat close, but the Lady Vols ran away with this one thanks to stellar performances by Jordan Horston, Rickea Jackson, and Sara Puckett who led the charge in scoring. Newcomer Jasmine Franklin led the team in boards with 10 on the day, and there was a tie for assists with six players dishing out three a piece.
Horston and Jackson looked particularly threatening when both players were on the court, using their elite size and mobility to collect easy buckets on the fast break. Horston was able to get 17 points while Jackson collected 14 for herself. These two will undoubtedly be a duo to keep an eye on this season as Tennessee looks to make a big splash in the world of college basketball.
Shooting was lights out for the Lady Vols as well, shooting 51.3% from the field and 42.9% from three. Puckett was automatic, going 3-5 from three-point range and rounding her field goal total to 6-9.
Coach Kellie Harper was pleased with the outing and what her team showed prior to the start of the regular season.
“This was fun. Much needed.,” Harper said. “We needed to play someone else so we can be a little bit more strategic now moving out of this game on what we’re working on in practice.”
This Lady Vols team certainly seems to have all the pieces it would take for them to make their long-awaited return to the top of the sport. We’ll see that campaign begin Nov. 8th when they travel to Columbus to battle it out against No. 14 Ohio State.