No. 11 Lady Vols trounce Presbyterian 97-49 without Davis

Nov 11, 2018, 09:34 pm

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Evina Westbrook had 20 points and seven steals, both career highs, as No. 11 Tennessee withstood the absence of Rennia Davis to post a season-opening 97-49 victory over Presbyterian on Sunday.

Davis, the Lady Vols' top returning scorer and rebounder, was wearing a walking boot on her left foot as she watched Sunday's game from the bench. The sophomore forward averaged 12 points and 7.6 rebounds last season.

Westbrook, a sophomore guard, hadn't scored more than 18 points in a game during her freshman season. She was one of six Lady Vols to score in double figures.

Rae Burrell had 14 points and freshman classmate Zaay Green had 13 points in their college debuts. Cheridene Green scored 13 points, Meme Jackson had 11 and Kasiyanha Kushkituah added 10.

Freshman Shamani Stafford scored 20 points to lead Presbyterian (0-1), which committed 39 turnovers.

Westbrook compiled seven straight points during a 16-0 run in the first quarter that turned a 5-2 deficit into an 18-5 advantage. That stretch lasted 5 minutes, 16 seconds, and included 11 Presbyterian turnovers.

Tennessee remained in control the rest of the way.

Presbyterian's Alaura Sharp made her Division I head coaching debut Sunday after working as an assistant at Southern Mississippi (2013-16) and Louisiana Tech (2016-18). Sharp posted a 95-63 in five seasons as a head coach at Lamar (Colorado) Community College (2008-09) and Garden City (Kansas) Community College (2009-13).

BIG PICTURE

Presbyterian: Although the Blue Hose likely won't face any teams nearly as athletic or deep as Tennessee in the Big South, Presbyterian must take better care of the basketball the rest of the season. The good news for Presbyterian was the emergence of Stafford, who scored 12 of the Blue Hose's first 15 points while making her college debut at one of the most storied venues in women's basketball. She made all five of her 3-point attempts.

Tennessee: Zaay Green continues to show she's ready to make an immediate contribution. The 6-foot freshman replaced Davis in the starting lineup and shot 3 of 4 from 3-point range and had four assists to go along with her 13 points. Green had 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 128-59 preseason exhibition victory over Division II program Carson-Newman.

NEXT UP

Presbyterian is at UNC Wilmington on Wednesday.

Tennessee hosts UNC Asheville on Wednesday.

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