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Lady Vols Slide Past Dores, 76-73 3/5/2005 GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Tennessee coach Pat Summitt won her 877th game, moving past Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp, and the Lady Vols (No. 4 ESPN/USA Today; No. 5 AP) reached the Southeastern Conference championship game with their ninth straight victory over state rival Vanderbilt (No. 17 ESPN/USA Today; No. 18 AP), 76-73, on Saturday night. The win sets up the SEC’s dream final with Tennessee (25-4) facing No. 1 LSU for the title Sunday. A victory there would draw Summitt within one of Dean Smith’s all-time mark of 879 victories, with the NCAA Tournament ahead. Vanderbilt overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half, and was trailing 74-73 and in possession of the ball in the final minute. But a pass down low to star Carla Thomas was knocked away by Tye’sha Fluker. Moments later, Fluker was alone underneath the basket and converted the simple layup with 44 seconds left. The Commodores (22-7) had two good looks from behind the arc to tie the game in the final seconds. But Abi Ramsey missed everything with her attempt and Caroline Williams’ try from the left corner hit the rim and bounded away. Tennessee ran out the final seconds as the largely orange-clad crowd at the Bi-Lo Center cheered and screamed. The Lady Vols have won 23 of their past 25 meetings with Vanderbilt over the past decade. Shanna Zolman had 18 points and four of the Lady Vols’ seven 3-pointers. Brittany Jackson, who had the other three long-range baskets, added 15 points and Alexis Hornbuckle had 14. Ashley Earley led Vanderbilt with 20 points. Ramsey finished with 19. Point guard Dee Davis had 11 points and 10 assists. She also had nine of the Commodores’ 14 turnovers. It seemed Tennessee had control of this one midway through the final half when Zolman hit a 12-footer and a 3-pointer for a 54-43 lead with 12:54 to go. But Vanderbilt wasn’t finished. Williams had two 3-pointers and Davis’ layup drew the Commodores to 56-55. Hornbuckle followed with three straight baskets to restore Tennessee’s lead to 62-55. But Ramsey made four 3-pointers over the next five minutes to keep the Commodores alive. Her last one, with 1:40 to go, brought Vanderbilt within 74-73 and set up the final, scrambling moments. Tennessee, the second seed, is aiming for its 11th tournament title, but first since 2000. Despite the loss, Vanderbilt is still expecting its sixth straight NCAA Tournament trip. |
