University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Penn
#4 Lady Vols Pummel Penn, 97-52
November 14, 2014 | Women's Basketball
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee's 30-5 run to end the first half was the difference as the #4 Lady Vols rolled Pennsylvania, 97-52, in the season opener at Thompson-Boling Arena before 9,706 fans.
The win by 45 points was the most in a season-opener since a 50-point win over Stetson (83-33) to open the 2005-06 season. The 97 points were the most in an opener since a 102-72 win over Chattanooga to begin the 2006-07 season.
Six players scored in double-figures led by juniors Nia Moore (career-high 24 points and 14 rebounds) and Bashaara Graves (16 points and 10 rebounds).
Senior Isabelle Harrison returned to action, off the bench, and had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Tennessee's trio of freshmen made their collegiate debuts and combined for 45 points including four 3-pointers. Alexa Middleton had 20 points, Kortney Dunbar netted 15 points and Jaime Nared added 10 points. It marked the second time in Lady Vols history three freshmen scored in double-figures in their debut. The other came in 1989 (Sheila Frost, Bridgette Gordon and Melissa McCray).
Middleton set a Tennessee record for most assists in a freshman debut with 11. She broke the mark of nine by Jody Adams in 1989.
With Tennessee trailing 20-17 midway through the first half, the Lady Vols ripped off a 14-0 run keyed by a pair of 3-pointers by Dunbar. Her second trey put Tennessee ahead 31-20 with 7:49 left in the first half. That run continued as Tennessee outscored the Quakers by 25 points over the final 11 minutes of the first half, 30-5. Penn made only 2 of its final 11 shots in the first half.
Graves (12) and Moore (10) led the Lady Vols' scoring parade in the first half.
The second half was more of the same as Tennessee extended its lead to 64-28 on a outback layup by Nared with 16 minutes left in the first half. That extended the bridged run to 47-8.
The Lady Vols continue their four-game homestand to open the season on Monday, Nov. 17 as Oral Roberts returns to Thompson-Boling Arena. The Golden Eagles were eliminated by the Lady Vols in the 2013 NCAA Tournament First Round, 83-62 in Knoxville. That game airs on SEC Network Plus and can he heard on the Lady Vol Network.
