 |
Overall Record: 31-3 Defeated Louisiana Tech 67-44 in NCAA Title Game   Standing (L-R): Cheryl Littlejohn, Jennifer Tuggle, Karla Horton, Sheila Frost, Carla McGhee, Kathy Spinks, Bridgette Gordon Kneeling (L-R): Gay Townson, Melissa McCray, Dawn Marsh, Lisa Webb, Shelly Sexton, Tonya Edwards, Sabrina Mott. Tennessee may have failed in its first bid at the national championship, but the second time was the charm for the Lady Vols. Tennessee thumped Louisiana Tech, which was vying for its second title, 67-44. "Well, the monkey's off my back," head coach Pat Summitt said. "I do not think I could go without recognizing that it was a tremendous team effort…has been for the last three weeks. This team has played as hard and as smart as I could ask any team to play." The Lady Vols built a 33-24 halftime edge and never looked back. Seven minutes into the second half, Tennessee had increased its lead to 14, 47-33, and the rest was history as Tennessee took its first NCAA title. Tennessee attempted 19 more field goals and grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Lady Techsters. A championship-game record crowd of 9,823 watched Tonya Edwards net 13 points and grab seven rebounds en route to most outstanding player honors. Two additional Lady Vols contributed 13 points - Bridgette Gordon and Sheila Frost. Gordon joined Edwards on the All-Championship team, as she also led the Tennessee carom parade, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds. |
