The USA Women’s National Team’s talent showed itself against Tennessee women’s basketball on Sunday with a 95-59 win.
The Lady Vols put up a strong showing but were outmatched by the national team. Rickea Jackson led the way for the Lady Vols with 15 points.
“That was a fun night for basketball,” Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper said. “To be able to showcase some of the best in the world on the court and to be able to go out and compete with that elite level, it was a lot of fun for our team.”
The national team only led by eight after the first quarter. Diana Taurasi had 11 points in the quarter, including three made by 3-point field goals. Tennessee’s scoring was spread throughout the team, with both Jackson and Sara Puckett making two shots from the field.
Jackson’s strong start was felt by the other players on her team.
“Rickea being on the floor gives our entire team confidence,” Harper said. “They look to her. They believe in her. I thought she played hard to start the game, and I think that gave everybody a little bit more confidence.”
The second quarter was much stronger for Team USA, with the national team starting the quarter on a 14-4 run. Jackson’s nine points were not enough to bring her team momentum, as the national team made 67% of its shots in the quarter. Both teams were equal in rebounding, with both the Lady Vols and Team USA bringing down 16 missed shots.
Team USA’s defense showed its class at the start of the third quarter, with Tess Darby’s 3-pointer being the first made basket nearly five minutes into the second half. The Lady Vols were held to just eight points, with Darby and Jillian Hollingshead splitting the points evenly.
Harper was looking to play Tamari Key against Brittney Griner all night. She could not find the opportunity for long stretches until the fourth quarter. Key finished with two points and one block in 14 minutes of play.
“We’re just trying to find minutes for her,” Harper said. “She made that block and made that shot at the end. We’ve seen those plays, but being able to make those plays is good for her growth back.”
Even after giving up 95 points, the Lady Vols still feel they improved defensively. Team USA scored on 58% of its possessions and was often limited to one shot per possession, as the national team only gained five offensive rebounds. Against a challenging opponent, Tennessee defended well.
“We had a big defensive assignment, knowing that everyone can shoot, pass, dribble, shoot a three,” Darby said. “They hardly missed tonight, and that’s what elite players do. We knew that we had to come out there. If we can guard them and hold them to 95, then what can we do the rest of the season?”
On the opposite end of the floor, the Lady Vols only made 33% of its shots. Tennessee was 9-for-23 from three-point range, with Darby and Avery Strickland each making two three-point shots. Because of Team USA’s strong defensive ability, the Lady Vols were not able to create much offensively.
“There wasn’t a lot of pressure release opportunities,” Harper said. “I think we learned tonight that we have to be able to handle these moments better.”
Ultimately, Harper asked her team to compete against the national team. Against the best players in the world, many teams would back down from the challenge and fold under pressure.
However, even in a 36-point loss, the Lady Vols did not back down.
“I thought our team competed,” Harper said. “It is the one thing I kept talking about with them.”
