Tennessee Defeats UCLA Women

Having lost consecutive games against nationally ranked opponents, the Tennessee women’s basketball team--defending national champions--came to L.A. determined to get back on track.

The Volunteers accomplished just that Sunday as they outran, outshot and outclassed UCLA in a 77-55 victory in front of 500 at Pauley Pavilion.

“I didn’t know how we would respond after Friday’s loss (against No. 3 Stanford),” said Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt, whose Volunteers were the nation’s top-ranked team before losing to Louisiana Tech and Stanford.

Summitt found out early as the Volunteers, who led by 11 at halftime, opened a 19-point lead four minutes into the second half and coasted the rest of the way.

“We weren’t really thinking out there,” said UCLA’s Molly Tideback, who returned after missing three games because of a sprained ankle. “It seemed like we were only running halfway through our plays.”

Perhaps that was because Tennessee (6-2) was bigger, quicker and seemingly better prepared than UCLA (4-2).

Tennessee was led by 5-foot-4 point guard Jody Adams, who controlled the tempo and kept the Bruins busy with 10 points from the outside, and Daedra Charles, a 6-3 center, who dominated the inside.

Charles finished with a career-high 24 points--13 in the first half--and 10 rebounds.

Rehema Stephens was the only Bruin in double figures, scoring 25 points--all from the outside.