KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- It was second-ranked Tennessee's first
game since losing Tamika Catchings suffered a knee injury. After
the win, Semeka Randall put on a familiar blue headband.
|  | | Tamika Catchings is relegated to the role of cheerleader Thursday night. |
"We decided to have a Tamika Catchings award, and it's the
person who gets the most hustle plays in a game. I was the first
one to win," said Randall, who scored 20 points, grabbed nine
rebounds and handed out five assists in the Lady Vols' 85-69
victory over No. 4 Georgia on Thursday. "I get to wear her
headband until the next game. I might win it again, but everyone
has to compete."
Catchings, the senior All-America and the team's leading scorer
and rebounder, was lost for what could be the rest of the season
when she tore her ACL on Monday. She always wore a light blue
headband in games.
"I challenged (Randall) to keep her intensity and leadership up
and have a positive approach," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.
"She can make a difference with her attitude."
The finish for the award must have been close as the Lady Vols
fed off the emotion from losing Catchings and the boisterous crowd
of 11,265 to avenge last season's 78-51 loss at Georgia, their
worst SEC defeat ever.
Gwen Jackson added 20 points and grabbed a career-high 15
rebounds and Michelle Snow had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kara
Lawson scored 14 points for the Lady Vols (17-1, 5-0 Southeastern
Conference).
"When we lost Tamika Catchings, we lost a very motivational
individual. I've said replacing her, we would be doing it by
committee," Summitt said. "I thought we had a lot of energy even
if we did not execute as well as I would have liked at times."
Tennessee has won 30 straight in Thompson-Boling Arena since an
overtime loss to Georgia in December 1996.
Tawana McDonald led the Lady Bulldogs (15-3, 3-1) with 19 points
and 10 rebounds. Coco Miller added 18 points and Kelly Miller had
16.
Tennessee went on a 19-6 run to turn a six-point deficit into a
seven-point lead with 5:47 left. Lawson had a driving layup and
then a basket on the next possession to give the Lady Vols their
first double-digit lead at 74-63 with 3:45 left.
Georgia couldn't get closer than nine the rest of the way with
starter Tiaunna Briggans and reserve center Christi Thomas sitting
on the bench with five fouls.
Tennessee finished with an 11-5 run. Randall went 4-of-4 from
the foul line in the final minute. She went to the bench and
immediately ran to Catchings and hugged her.
"Tonight was a championship-caliber game. To me, Tennessee had
more people to play and had that depth that we did not," Georgia
coach Andy Landers said. Two Georgia players -- Deanna Nolan and
Camille Murphy -- didn't play because of injuries.
Tennessee, which trailed by as many as eight in the first half
and 43-40 at halftime, tied it twice in the second half before
taking over.
Lawson intercepted a pass and was fouled on the breakaway. She
made both free throws with 9:59 left to tie it at 59. McDonald's
basket put Georgia back ahead, but Jackson had a putback and was
fouled. Jackson made both free throws and put Tennessee ahead 62-61
with 6:54 to start a 9-0 run.
Snow capped the run with a three-point play that increased the
Lady Vols' lead to 68-61.
Catchings received a standing ovation when she walked across the
court to the bench before the game. During halftime, she stood at
midcourt to be recognized for going over 1,000 rebounds for her
career in Monday's game against Mississippi State. She has 2,113
points and 1,004 rebounds for her career, becoming only the second
to do that after Chamique Holdsclaw.
Catchings had only missed starting in two games her entire
Tennessee career.
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ALSO SEE
Women's College Basketball Scoreboard
Georgia Clubhouse
Tennessee Clubhouse
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