Summitt Is New Member of 800 Club

Watch out, Dean Smith. Pat Summitt isn’t retiring anytime soon.

Summitt became the first coach in women’s college basketball to win 800 games when No. 5-ranked Tennessee defeated No. 25 DePaul, 76-57, Tuesday night at Knoxville, Tenn.

Summitt is the fourth men’s or women’s coach in Division I with 800 victories behind Smith, Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and Jim Phelan of Mount Saint Mary’s. Smith retired in 1997 as North Carolina’s coach with a record 879 victories.

Summitt’s has a record of 800-161 in 29 seasons and has won six national championships, second to John Wooden’s 10 titles at UCLA.

“I have no intention of getting out soon,” Summitt, 50, told fans in Thompson-Boling Arena during a postgame celebration.

Tennessee (12-3) didn’t allow for much suspense in whether Summitt would have to wait to reach the milestone. After the Blue Demons (12-4) tied the score, 2-2, the Lady Vols slowly built a lead and went on an 18-0 run in the first half.

When the game ended, Summitt hugged DePaul Coach Doug Bruno, then hugged each player as orange and white confetti rained on the court.

School officials played a taped congratulatory message from Smith on the arena’s video board and presented Summitt with a cake, roses and game ball.

No. 21 Notre Dame 71, St. John’s 42 -- Jacqueline Batteast had 24 points and 11 rebounds at New York, and the Fighting Irish (10-4, 2-1 Big East) improved to 12-0 all-time against the Red Storm (6-9, 0-4).