Tennessee was determined to bounce back from the second-worst loss in program history. With a matchup against slumping Alabama, it was an easy task.
Shekinna Stricklen scored 14 points and Glory Johnson added 13 to lead the No. 7 Lady Vols to an 86-56 win over the Crimson Tide on Thursday night.
Kamiko Williams and Isabelle Harrison chipped in 10 points apiece for the Lady Vols (15-5, 6-1 Southeastern Conference), who rebounded from a 72-44 setback at No. 2 Notre Dame on Monday.
''We were happy with the pace we played,'' said Tennessee assistant coach Holly Warlick. ''Obviously, we wanted to score. We wanted an up-tempo game. I thought the first half, Alabama hung tough with us.''
Kyra Crosby had 15 points and five rebounds as the Crimson Tide (10-11, 0-7 SEC) lost their seventh straight.
Tennessee jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game's first 2 minutes and was comfortably ahead for most of the opening half. The Vols led by 15 points at the break.
''To have a good start, I think that helps our team a lot, gives us a lot of confidence and warns people for next time,'' said Johnson
The Vols had only four turnovers compared to Alabama's eight. Tennessee also won the rebounding battle 24-17.
''What I thought happened in the first half is if we'd made some free throws, maybe kept the score a little bit closer, it might've been a different type basketball game,'' said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. ''But from the effort standpoint, Tennessee is a very good basketball team, and I thought we competed.''
Tennessee scored 25 points off 22 turnovers, including 11 steals.
The Vols shot 45 percent from the field (32 of 71) but just 21 percent of its 3-point attempts (4 for 19). Alabama's performance from long range was much worse; the Tide went 1-for 14.
