Lady Vols freshmen impress in exhibition win over Carson-Newman 121-76

Posted on November 7, 2017
Rennia Davis – L:ady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The nation’s No. 1 recruiting class combined for 76 points to lead No. 14/18 Tennessee past Carson-Newman, 121-76, in a season-opening exhibition game Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Featuring a foursome of McDonald’s All-Americans, the young Lady Vols did not take long to make an impact in their opening performance. Rennia Davis led the way for Tennessee, recording a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, as each of the freshmen finished in double figures.

The energy and pace brought by the newcomers was complemented by veteran experience, as seniors Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell played extensive minutes in the first half. Nared finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Russell added 14 points and four boards. Freshman guard Anastasia Hayes came off the bench to finish as UT’s third leading scorer with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting.

Tennessee came out sharp in the first quarter, shooting 63 percent from the field to build a 27-20 lead. Nared made four of her first six shots to lead the way with eight points through the opening frame.

The Lady Vols held Carson-Newman to 38 percent shooting in the first half, and used a 10-0 run during the second quarter to go into the break ahead, 52-42. Davis went 5-for-8 from the floor with 14 points to lead UT.

Also making her debut was Sports Illustrated Preseason National Freshman of the year, Evina Westbrook. The guard from Salem, Ore., netted seven first-half points and recorded three assists, with her first basket in the orange and white coming via a free throw nine seconds into the game. Westbrook finished with 17 points and six assists.

Tennessee broke the game open in the third quarter, going on a 22-5 run to increase the lead to 33. Freshman forward Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored nine of her 13 points in the second half, and was 6-for-8 shooting for the game in the low post. She also added 10 rebounds for UT’s second double-double of the night by a rookie.

UT was assertive on the glass all night, finishing with 56 total rebounds. Twenty-five of the Lady Vols’ points came off second-chance opportunities.

Haris Price led Carson-Newman offensively, scoring 15 points and adding four assists. Jecca Simerly hauled down 10 rebounds for the Lady Eagles.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will host East Tennessee State on Sunday. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. and be carried online by SECN+.

HIGH SCORING IN ALL-TIME SERIES: Tennessee’s 121 points on Tuesday night was the most it has scored versus Carson-Newman since Nov. 5, 2009, when it defeated the Lady Eagles 124-34.

TALE OF TURNOVERS: Despite playing two freshmen at point guard, Tennessee committed only 10 turnovers in the contest. Anastasia Hayes committed only one turnover, while Evina Westbrook had two.  Carson-Newman, meanwhile, was harassed into 24 miscues on the evening.

RACKING UP THE DEFENSIVE STATS: Tennessee recorded 10 blocks and got 16 steals vs. Carson-Newman. Jaime Nared and Kasiyahna Kushkituah had three blocks each, while Nared, Rennia Davis, Meme Jackson and Anastasia Hayes each grabbed three steals.

-UT Athletics

 

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Lady Vols freshmen impress in exhibition win over Carson-Newman 121-76

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Vince Ferrara • 0 Comments
Rennia Davis – L:ady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The nation’s No. 1 recruiting class combined for 76 points to lead No. 14/18 Tennessee past Carson-Newman, 121-76, in a season-opening exhibition game Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Featuring a foursome of McDonald’s All-Americans, the young Lady Vols did not take long to make an impact in their opening performance. Rennia Davis led the way for Tennessee, recording a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, as each of the freshmen finished in double figures.

The energy and pace brought by the newcomers was complemented by veteran experience, as seniors Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell played extensive minutes in the first half. Nared finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Russell added 14 points and four boards. Freshman guard Anastasia Hayes came off the bench to finish as UT’s third leading scorer with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting.

Tennessee came out sharp in the first quarter, shooting 63 percent from the field to build a 27-20 lead. Nared made four of her first six shots to lead the way with eight points through the opening frame.

The Lady Vols held Carson-Newman to 38 percent shooting in the first half, and used a 10-0 run during the second quarter to go into the break ahead, 52-42. Davis went 5-for-8 from the floor with 14 points to lead UT.

Also making her debut was Sports Illustrated Preseason National Freshman of the year, Evina Westbrook. The guard from Salem, Ore., netted seven first-half points and recorded three assists, with her first basket in the orange and white coming via a free throw nine seconds into the game. Westbrook finished with 17 points and six assists.

Tennessee broke the game open in the third quarter, going on a 22-5 run to increase the lead to 33. Freshman forward Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored nine of her 13 points in the second half, and was 6-for-8 shooting for the game in the low post. She also added 10 rebounds for UT’s second double-double of the night by a rookie.

UT was assertive on the glass all night, finishing with 56 total rebounds. Twenty-five of the Lady Vols’ points came off second-chance opportunities.

Haris Price led Carson-Newman offensively, scoring 15 points and adding four assists. Jecca Simerly hauled down 10 rebounds for the Lady Eagles.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will host East Tennessee State on Sunday. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. and be carried online by SECN+.

HIGH SCORING IN ALL-TIME SERIES: Tennessee’s 121 points on Tuesday night was the most it has scored versus Carson-Newman since Nov. 5, 2009, when it defeated the Lady Eagles 124-34.

TALE OF TURNOVERS: Despite playing two freshmen at point guard, Tennessee committed only 10 turnovers in the contest. Anastasia Hayes committed only one turnover, while Evina Westbrook had two.  Carson-Newman, meanwhile, was harassed into 24 miscues on the evening.

RACKING UP THE DEFENSIVE STATS: Tennessee recorded 10 blocks and got 16 steals vs. Carson-Newman. Jaime Nared and Kasiyahna Kushkituah had three blocks each, while Nared, Rennia Davis, Meme Jackson and Anastasia Hayes each grabbed three steals.

-UT Athletics