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Thursday, Dec. 30 7:00pm ET
UT surpasses 100 points for 3rd time | |||||
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BOX SCORE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Semeka Randall is regaining the form that made her a preseason All-American. Tennessee's fiery guard, who failed to play up to standards early in the season, has improved dramatically in recent weeks. Her progress continued in the Lady Vols' 106-76 victory over Texas (unranked ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. No. 25 AP) on Thursday night. Randall had 21 points, three rebounds and five steals in an impressive all-around effort. Tamika Catchings scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Kara Lawson added 19 points for Tennessee (9-1). Texas (8-4) was led by Edwina Brown with 22 points. It was arguably Randall's best game of the season. Her previous high was 19 against Wisconsin. "Semeka is playing with a lot of confidence," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "She's shooting better because her shot selection is better. She's also committed to defense. She has to guard the best perimeter player every game. She understands the importance of limiting the touches of that best player. This was definitely one of her better games." "You have to know when to take the shot," Randall said. "Early in the season I was not seeing the floor well. Tonight I did a good job of knowing when to drive and when to pull up for the jump shot. Overall this was my best game." Tennessee took control midway through the first half and cruised the rest of the way enroute to surpassing the 100-point mark for the third time this season. The game was the first matching coaches with 700-plus career victories. Texas coach Jody Conradt has 733 victories and Tennessee's Pat Summitt has 704. "Part of your basketball education is making a trip to Knoxville and playing an excellent Tennessee team," Conradt said. "We are a very young team and it was a painful education for us. They go for the jugular as well as any team. Tonight was no different." The Lady Vols overcame a slow start with a 24-2 run midway through the first half. After falling behind 10-6, Tennessee used a 3-point shooting assault to take a 30-12 lead at 10:21. Kara Lawson made three 3-pointers in the spurt and Randall added one. "Our team did a lot of good things offensively," Summitt said. "We took quick shots early and didn't get on the offensive glass, but then we settled down. I'm excited about the development of the team on the offensive end. The efficiency the last three games has been great." Texas cut the deficit to 12 points late in the first half on Asha Hill's 3-pointer. The Lady Vols then applied full-court pressure in the final three minutes, causing four turnovers in an 8-2 run for a 49-32 halftime lead. "We talked about setting tighter traps in the full court press," Summitt said. "We closed our traps better and mixed up the presses. We're getting better with that." The Lady Vols maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half and finished the game shooting 54 percent. Texas trailed by 14 points midway through the second half, but 3-pointers by Catchings and April McDivitt pushed Tennessee's lead to 20, and a 16-10 run gave the Lady Vols an 89-64 lead. Lawson added 19 points for Tennessee and Gwen Jackson had 10 points and 10 rebounds. | ALSO SEE Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
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