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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Kristen Clement is not in No. 2
Tennessee's starting lineup. She's quite valuable nonetheless.
Clement, a senior who played on the Lady Vols' 1998 national
championship squad as a freshman, scored 18 points and missed just
one shot Sunday in a 90-66 victory over Wisconsin (unranked ESPN/USA Today, No. 18 AP).
|  | | Kristen Clement has made a difference for the Lady Vols off the bench and in a leadership capacity. |
"We're looking for leaders and right now our best leader is Ace
Clement," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "If she brings that
focus and consistency that's huge for us. She's a great weapon
offensively and that's what she's been working hard on to bring to
our basketball team."
Clement had a stint as the starting point guard last year but
now is one of the first reserves into the game.
"I just play my role and contribute when I get put into the
game," she said. "My priority is to get this team to the ...
national championship."
Clement scored 12 points in the second half and helped the Lady
Vols (5-0) increase their nine-point first-half lead.
Wisconsin pulled to 41-32 at halftime after being down by as
many as 19 points in the first half. The Lady Badgers got the lead
down to nine on Sims' fast-break basket with 15:13 left.
Semeka Randall converted a three-point play and then made a
jumper in the lane to put Tennessee ahead 54-42, and the Lady Vols
continued to expand their lead.
Gwen Jackson hit a jumper in the lane for a 63-50 Tennessee lead
with 11:24 left to start a 9-2 run. Clement made a basket with
three seconds left on the shot clock, drew a foul and then hit a
3-pointer to give the Lady Vols a 72-52 lead three minutes later.
Clement stole the ball at the top of the key and tossed it
backwards to Tasha Butts on the fastbreak. Butts missed the basket,
but drew a foul and made one of two free throws for a 78-54
Tennessee lead with 4:15 remaining.
A minute later Clement got another steal and this time took the
ball to the basket by herself uncontested for an 82-56 lead.
Tennessee also got 15 points from Michelle Snow, who last week
became the third woman to dunk in an NCAA game. Kara Lawson added
12 points, and Tamika Catchings 10.
"I thought (Michelle) had a terrific game. She didn't start out
well, but I thought she had a strong game at both ends of the court
after the start," Summitt said.
Wisconsin was led by LaTonya Sims' 22 points. Jessie Stomski
added 14, Tamara Moore 12, and Nina Smith 11.
Wisconsin couldn't overcome Tennessee's stifling defense and
turned the ball over 34 times, leading to 38 points for the Lady
Vols.
"You cannot beat a team of this caliber with 34 turnovers. I
think it is that simple," Wisconsin coach Jane Albright said.
The Lady Vols used a 20-8 run in the middle of the first half to
increase their lead from four to 19 points.
Catchings made a driving layup to put Tennessee ahead 14-10 with
13:41 to go, sparking the run that included four fast-break
baskets. After Randall's basket made it 34-15 with 5:50 left,
Wisconsin didn't fold.
The Lady Badgers got back into the game behind Sims' eight
points with a 17-7 run. Smith's layup with 5.5 seconds left before
halftime cut the Lady Vols' lead to 38-32.
But April McDivitt hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to restore
Tennessee's lead to nine.
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Wisconsin Clubhouse
Tennessee Clubhouse
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