KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s pressure defense took over in the second half Tuesday night, and the Lady Volunteers rolled past New Haven 83-40 to open the season 3-0.
The Lady Vols forced 26 turnovers, the third straight game in which an opponent has given it away at least 25 times, and held New Haven to 27.6 percent shooting. Food City Center drew 10,343 fans, its biggest turnout of the young season.
It was closer early. Tennessee shot just 25 percent in the first quarter and led only 17-10, and New Haven pulled within 24-20 midway through the second. A 13-4 push sent the hosts to the locker room up 37-24. After halftime they outscored the Chargers 46-16, and a 21-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters, capped by a Harissoum Coulibaly 3, made it 70-33 with just over four minutes left.
Four players reached double figures. Sixth-year forward Aaliyah Moore paced the scoring at 14 and pulled down seven boards. Freshman Gabby Minus had 13 points, eight rebounds and six of the team’s 13 steals, and Fatmata Janneh led in rebounding for a third straight game with nine. Kennedy Fauntleroy scored 11 off the bench with five boards, and Kaylene Smikle added 10 points and eight rebounds for her third straight double-figure game.
Tennessee’s shooting was uneven at 26-of-73 overall, or 36 percent, but it made 15 of 40 attempts from 3-point range, its third game in a row with more than 10 made 3s. The Lady Vols won the rebounding battle 53-43, pulling down 23 offensive rebounds that turned into 20 second-chance points.
New Haven was led by Teaira Kelley, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds. The schedule stays in-state next, as Tennessee hosts Middle Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in its Salute to Service game.
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