Postgame Notes: UT 101, C-N 59

Nov. 9, 2015

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Postgame Notes

The Basics

Tonight's game represented the lone exhibition contest on Tennessee's 2015-16 schedule.

The game was the first four quarter NCAA women's basketball game in Tennessee history after the NCAA rule change over the summer.

The Newcomer

Eight players saw action for Tennessee on Friday night, including one freshman, Meme Jackson

Meme Jackson earned the start and opened the scoring with a three.

Mercedes Russell in her first action for the Lady Vols since 2013-14 followed with five straight points as the Lady Vols opened the game on an 8-0 run.

With The Win ...

Tennessee improves to 26-2 all-time against Carson-Newman and 12-0 against the Eagles in exhibition play.

The Vols have won 12 consecutive exhibition games dating back to 2007 when the Lady Vols lost to the US National Team 72-83.

For Starters

Tennessee started Mercedes Russell, Kortney Dunbar, Meme Jackson, Alexa Middleton and Andraya Carter

First off the bench: Jordan Reynolds, Bashaara Graves and Jasmine Jones checked in together with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter.

In all, Tennessee played 8 players vs. Carson-Newman with Diamond DeShields, Te'a Cooper, Nia Moore and Jaime Nared sitting out the game with minor injuries.

Saving Their Best for Last

Tennessee took a 26-14 lead after the first quarter.

The Lady Vols ended the first half with nine straight points to take a 45-30 lead in to the break. .

Last season, UT led Carson-Newman 41-34 at halftime, before breaking open the game in the second half and winning 90-57.

Tennessee only outscored Carson-Newman 19-18 in the third quarter and took a 64-48 lead into the final quarter.

UT used a 19-0 run early in the fourth quarter to take command of the game, winning the final frame 37-11.

Balanced Attack

It was a balanced Lady Vols attack as five players finished in double digits while two more recorded 8 points:

Mercedes Russell - 23

Andraya Carter - 19

Kortney Dunbar - 15

Alexa Middleton - 13

Jasmine Jones - 12

Bashaara Graves - 8

Meme Jackson - 8

Carson-Newman saw three players score in double figures as Tatum Burstrom led the way with 15 points. Kailyn Brooks scored 13 while Taylor Peterson chipped in 12 points and a team best seven rebounds.

Bashaara Graves and Mercedes Russell led the way with 10 rebounds each.

Jordan Reynolds tallied seven assists while not turning the ball over.

Career Nights

Because Monday night's game was an exhibition it will not count in the record books, but if it did a couple players would be writing in new career highs.

Mercedes Russell recorded a career best 23 points, besting her previous best of 15 (11/14/13 at Chattanooga). Russell also tallied her first ever double-double as she grabbed 10 rebounds.

Kortney Dunbar tied a career high in points with 15 (11/14/14 vs. Penn). Dunbar made a career best seven field goals on only eight shots, shooting 87.5 percent.

Alexa Middleton had her second highest scoring night in a Lady Vol uniform as she poured in 13. It was topped only by her 20 point effort against Penn in last year's season opener.

Jordan Reynolds tied a career high with seven assists (11/17/14).

The Lady Vols shot 59.4 percent from the field, which bested any mark from last season. It was the most since Tennessee shot 62.2 percent from the field in defeating Arkansas 70-60 on Jan. 30, 2014.

Up Next

The Lady Vols play host to Central Arkansas in the regular season opener on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. ET.

The game will be streamed live online through SEC Network +.

The Lady Vols will put their streak of 22 straight non-exhibition victories at Thompson-Boling Arena on the line. Last year Tennessee was 18-0 at home.

The Lady Vols own a 402-28 (.934) at TBA and a 555-52 (.914) all-time record in home games.