University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
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Carson-Newman (Exhibition)
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Lady Vols Thrive in 95-56 Exhibition Win
November 07, 2016 | Women's Basketball
HIGHLIGHTS | WARLICK | PLAYERS | PHOTO GALLERY | STATS | QUOTES
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Redshirt junior Diamond DeShields recorded a double-double to lead No. 13/14 Tennessee to a 95-56 exhibition win over Carson-Newman Monday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
DeShields finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the game, helping Tennessee improve to 13-0 all-time in exhibition games against the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Volunteers boasted a stout defensive performance in front of a home crowd of 8,481, holding Carson-Newman to 26 percent (19-of-74) shooting, forcing 16 turnovers and blocking 10 shots.
Redshirt junior Mercedes Russell finished with 20 points and seven rebounds in the outing. Junior Jaime Nared shot 70 percent (7-of-10) from the field to total 17 points and eight rebounds. Alexa Middleton and Meme Jackson chipped in 10 points apiece to put five Lady Vols in double figures.
The Lady Vols jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead over Carson-Newman in the first three minutes of the game. Tennessee never looked back, finishing the first quarter up, 24-16, behind 63 percent (10-of-16) shooting. DeShields fueled the offense with 12 points.
UT built on its lead in the second period, going into halftime ahead of the Lady Eagles, 41-30. The Lady Vols were successful in the paint in the first half, scoring 26 points down low compared to only eight by Carson-Newman.
The Lady Vols' offense came alive in the third stanza, scoring 30 points on 11-of-18 (61 percent) shooting. Tennessee's defense was stout, holding the Lady Eagles to just nine points in the period on just 3-of-21 (14 percent) shooting from the floor.
UT outscored Carson-Newman 24-17 in the final stanza, improving Tennessee's record to 46-4 all-time in exhibition contests. All eight Lady Vols who saw action scored in the game and seven of the eight players shot 50 percent or better from the floor.
The Lady Vols officially open the season on the road against James Madison on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Convocation Center in Harrisonburg, Va. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will feature an online-only broadcast through Madizone HD Sports.
Trio Leads Lady Vols
- The trio of Diamond DeShields, Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared fueled Tennessee on both sides of the ball, combining for 61 points, 25 rebounds, 10 assists, four blocks and two steals.
- With a 61 points, the group of Lady Vols accounted for 64 percent of Tennessee's 95 points.
- The trio shot 25-of-43 (58 percent) from the field.
Career Nights
- This was an exhibition, so the stats don't count, but several Lady Vols had career performances.
- DeShields recorded her fourth career double-double, with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
- Senior Jordan Reynolds tied a career-high with 11 rebounds and matched last year's season-high with seven assists.
- Sophomore Meme Jackson recorded a career-high with 10 points.
- Russell posted a career high in assists with four.
Defense Wins Championships
- The Lady Vols recorded 10 blocks, led by three apiece from redshirt senior Schaquilla Nunn and Mercedes Russell.
- UT held Carson-Newman to 19-of-74 (25.7 percent) shooting from the field, including a 3-of-21 in the third quarter.
- The Lady Vols outrebounded Carson-Newman, 54-35, and 40-19 on the defensive glass.
