University Southern California Trojans
USC
Tennessee (W)
Women Of Troy Fall To No. 2 Tennessee, 106-66
November 18, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Nov 18, 2001
By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS
AP Sports Writer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - USC sophomore Aisha Hollans tied a career high with 26 points and freshman Rachel Woodward contirbuted 16, but it wasn't enough as the second-ranked Tennessee women's basketball team defeated the Women of Troy, 106-66, on Sunday (Nov. 18) in front of 8,105 at UT's Thompson-Boling Arena.
With the loss, USC falls to 0-2 to begin the season, while the Lady Vols improve to 2-0. The victory marked Tennessee's 200th at its home arena since it first opened in 1987.
The Trojans started three sophomores and two freshmen against the Lady Volunteers. Senior Tiffany Elmore was forced to sit out due to a mild neck sprain she suffered against Saint Joseph's on Friday (Nov. 16).
Aside from the contributions of Hollans and Woodward, sophomore center Portia Mitchell displayed a strong performance in the post, collecting a career-high three blocks in a personal-best 16 minutes of playing time.
Tennessee jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the first four minutes, and USC got as close as 20-12 with 9:07 left in the first half after Hollans made a three-point play.
Then the Lady Vols started to stretch their lead with quick offense and aggressive defense. After Hollans had one free throw to make it 33-19 with 5:55 remaining before halftime, Tennessee went on a 15-0 run.
Shyra Ely scored 22 points and Brittany Jackson had 14 for Tennessee.
Then the Lady Vols got six points off three steals and made it 48-19 with 1:34 remaining in the first half.
With a 55.7 percent shooting effort, the Lady Vols continued to build on their lead before securing the 10-6-66 final score. Tennessee's 106 points were the third-most an opponent has ever scored against the Women of Troy.
The Lady Vols evened the all-time series against the Trojans at seven games apiece. The teams last met in 1989 when the Women of Troy won 87-53 in Los Angeles.
USC hosts Morgan State in its home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Sports Arena.
