Lady Vols return from Thanksgiving to face DePaul
From Staff ReportsOriginally published: November 30. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: November 30. 2008 1:40AM
The Tennessee Lady Vols return to action today hosting DePaul University in a 3 p.m. contest at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The No. 9 Lady Vols (4-1) continue to improve defensively after an upset by Virginia on their home court earlier this month and are coming off back-to-back wins over Louisiana Tech and Western Carolina.
"That was definitely progress against Louisiana Tech and Western Carolina. I felt like, in particular, we established our inside game," UT coach Pat Summitt said. "Vicki Baugh (returning from knee rehab) has made a tremendous difference, and with Vicki and with Glory Johnson, I thought, we really got some good touches in the paint and did some good things with our starting group, but I didn't think our defense was as strong as it needed to be.
"Obviously, just looking at the upcoming schedule, with DePaul coming in, that will be a really good challenge for us and we've had a lot of tough games with DePaul. Doug (Bruno) does a tremendous job of preparing his team, especially when they go on the road. So we just have to get prepared."
DePaul (5-1) is coming off an 80-68 win over visiting Illinois State on Friday night. Deirdre Naughton led four players in double-figures with 26 points including a 16-for-16 effort from the free throw line. Naughton is averaging 19 points per game. Keisha Hampton is also scoring in double figures for the Blue Demons, with 11 points per outing.
The Lady Vols will travel to George Washington University on Tuesday before breaking for exams.