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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bjorklund’s shooting lifts Volunteers

U-Hi grad seven 3s away from Tennessee’s all-time mark

Angie Bjorklund hit 4 of 8 3s on Sunday and now has 259 during her career at Tennessee. (Associated Press)
Jim Vertuno Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas – Tennessee’s tough, two-game Texas swing got off to a rousing start.

Angie Bjorklund scored 20 points in the first half and Meighan Simmons added 18 and the eighth-ranked Lady Vols pulled away in the second half to coast to a 92-77 victory over No. 21 Texas on Sunday.

Bjorklund provided the early punch with four 3-pointers in the first half, then Simmons took over in the second as the Lady Vols (9-1) sent Texas (5-3) to its third consecutive loss.

Bjorklund (University High), who went 4 for 8 from 3-point range, now has 259 career 3-pointers at Tennessee, passing Kara Lawson for second place on the Lady Vols’ career list, and is seven 3s away from the all-time mark.

As soon as it was over, the Lady Vols turned their attention to their big Tuesday night showdown with No. 2 Baylor just 100 miles north in Waco. Baylor knocked Tennessee out of the NCAA tournament last season.

“We’ve been looking forward to (Baylor) for a while,” Bjorklund said. “When that game ended, my mind went to Baylor. I’m not going to lie.”

Kathleen Nash scored 21 points to lead Texas, which committed its season average of 20 turnovers that led to 23 Tennessee points. The loss also snapped Texas’ 27-game nonconference winning streak at home.

Texas was hamstrung by suspensions and illness and coach Gail Goestenkors used only seven players. The Longhorns didn’t have the stamina to keep up with the deep and talented Lady Vols, who had five players score in double figures.

“The guard play we have allows us to be out and bring the heat early. Watching them on tape, Texas does a great job of pushing tempo. We knew we had to match that intensity,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. “Our depth definitely helped us in this game, being able to rotate and keep people fresh.”