LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Tennessee’s fast start against Kentucky was more than enough to withstand a sometimes-uneven finish by the No. 7 Lady Vols.
Evina Westbrook scored 17 points, Mercedes Russell added 16 and No. 7 Tennessee started quickly against Kentucky and never trailed in rolling to a 63-49 victory Sunday in the Southeastern Conference opener for both schools.
Playing for the first time since beating then-No. 18 Stanford 10 days ago, the Lady Vols (13-0) showed no rust in scoring the game’s first 10 points for a 26-7 lead after one quarter at Rupp Arena. The gap reached 23 points midway through the third as they remained unbeaten while handing the Wildcats (8-7) their sixth consecutive loss.
Westbrook, a freshman guard, got Tennessee rolling with three of its five 3s on eight attempts in the opening quarter for 11 points. The Lady Vols missed their final nine shots from long range, but teammates contributed from inside the arc to lead comfortably.
“The shots were just open, so if they’re not going to guard us, we’re going to take shots,” said Westbrook, who finished 7 of 11 from the field. “A different arena, definitely, but we warmed up good. We had a really practice (Saturday) and everyone just really focused.”