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EVENTS
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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The crowd was smaller than usual for a Tennessee women's game at Thompson-Boling Arena, but the outcome was the same. In front of just 8,129 -- about 40 percent of capacity -- the top-seeded Lady Vols used 17 points from Ashley Robinson and a smothering defense for an 80-38 victory over Austin Peay in the first round of the NCAA Mideast Region. A perennial power seeking its seventh national championship, Tennessee usually plays to sellout crowds at Thompson-Boling Arena, which holds over 21,000 for basketball. But the Lady Vols are hosting the subregional and the tickets are divided among the four teams, keeping the partisan crowd to a mininum. That had absolutely no effect on Tennessee, which dismantled the 16th-seeded Lady Governors. Austin Peay (17-14) shot just 23 percent (13-of-57) from the field and committed 22 turnovers. With Austin Peay going home, Tennessee fans could gobble up their allotment of tickets for Sunday's second-round game. The Lady Vols will meet ninth-seeded St. Mary's. Kara Lawson and Gwen Jackson each collected 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Vols, who closed the first half with a 15-6 run and totally dominated the second half, limiting the Lady Governors to six baskets. Tennessee shot just 38 percent (26-of-68) but made 24-of-32 free throws and held a 59-34 advantage on the boards. |
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