www.dailypostathenian.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 | SPORTS DAILY POST-ATHENIAN | B3 Davis powers Lady Vols hoops past Missouri UT’s out eld

The Associated Press WOMEN’S SEC BASKETBALL returned early in the fourth. in the middle of the third quar- Haley Troup and Aijha Black- ter. They made just two of their COLUMBIA, Mo. — Rennia No. 20 TENNESSEE 78, well had 16 points each for last nine to finish 12 of 30 from trending up Davis scored all 26 of her points Missouri 73 the Tigers (8-10, 4-9). Troup the arc. in the second half, with 20 in matched a career high she set The victory advances Tennes- the fourth quarter, to help the but three of Tennessee’s fourth- on Jan. 6, 2019, against Tennes- see’s hopes of finishing the sea- No. 20 Tennessee Lady Vols quarter points. Her 26 points see. son among the top four teams in after blasting beat Missouri 78-73 on Thurs- matched a season high. Tennessee outrebounded Mis- the SEC standings and earning day night. Rae Burrell scored 18 of her souri 46-25 overall and grabbed a double bye in the conference Davis made a pair of 3-point- 23 points in the first half for the 18 offensive rebounds, one less tournament. The Lady Vols host Ark-Pine Blu ers during an 8-0 run that Lady Vols. Burrell was 9 of 13 than Missouri had on its defen- Auburn to close out the regular opened the fourth quarter and from the field and 3 of 5 from sive glass. season on Sunday. gave the Lady Vols (14-6, 8-4 3-point range. She left the game The Tigers had made 10 of 21 Missouri visits Mississippi BY TROY PROVOST-HERON Southeastern Conference) the late in the third quarter with an from 3-point range when they State for its season finale on The Daily Times lead for good. Davis scored all apparent right ankle injury but took their largest lead at 49-43 Sunday. KNOXVILLE — Evan Russell envi- sioned himself as a consistent presence in the Tennessee outfield given the over- whelming experience gap between him- self and the other four players vying for at-bats, but he also knew Jordan Beck, Drew Gilbert, Christian Scott and Kyle Booker had the talent to overcome their youth or inexperience. In an attempt to maintain a grip on a starting spot, Russell developed soreness COLLEGE BASEBALL

No. 16 TENNESSEE 14, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6

in his wrist from swinging too much in the batting cages, opening the door for Beck, Gilbert, Scott and Booker to make a name for themselves. The quartet have combined to reach base 20 times in 55 plate appearances with six doubles, a tri- ple, four home runs and 18 RBIs through the Vols’ first five games of the season. “I felt like I could really help guide the younger guys like Booker, (Gilbert) and Beck, so it is frustrating to have this lit- tle setback, but it is nice to see Gilbert, Beck, C-Scott and even Booker step up in some big moments,” Russell said. “It helps to know that we can win games without me, but selfishly, I think I can help contribute to the team as well.” Russell made his first start of the sea- son in the No. 16 Vols’ 14-6 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday in Lindsey Nelson Stadium and proved he is capable of producing at that clip as well, blasting a three-run home run in the fourth inning that pegged Tennes- see to a double-digit lead. Tennessee (5-0) entered last season in MARK HUMPHREY | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS a similar spot, believing it had five out- Tennessee’s Jaden Springer (center) and Yves Pons (right) head down the court past Vanderbilt’s Ejike Obinna (50) in the first half in an SEC con- fielders it would have to rotate before test on Wednesday in Nashville. current Houston Astro prospect Zach Daniels started mashing at a prolific pace to solidify a spot in the starting lineup alongside preseason All-American Ale- rick Soularie. Beck seems to be on a similar trajectory to Daniels, slashing .313/.353/.938 with Manufacturing momentum two double, a triple, two home runs and eight RBIs, but Russell, Gilbert, Scott No. 25 TENNESSEE (16-6, 9-6) and Booker will rotate through the other at AUBURN (11-13, 5-10) two spots as well as at designated hit- Bailey scores 21, No. 25 Tennessee ter until they separate themselves from WHEN: Noon, Saturday each other. “It’s on me to juggle it, and it’s on them WHERE: Auburn Arena, Auburn, Alabama to keep doing what they need to do to nishes o Vandy to sweep series prove that they need to be on the field,” BOTTOM LINE: Auburn looks for its sixth Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said. straight win in the head-to-head series BY TERESA M. WALKER MEN’S SEC BASKETBALL Russell is established, Gilbert is one of over No. 25 Tennessee. In its last five wins AP Sports Writer Tennessee’s best power hitters — evi- against the Volunteers, Auburn has won by No. 25 TENNESSEE 70, Vanderbilt 58 denced by his game-winning home run in an average of 13 points. Tennessee’s last NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Vols the ninth inning against Georgia South- win in the series came on Jan. 31, 2017, an didn’t know until warm-ups that Vander- a chance to make a play or two at the end ern on Saturday — and Scott provides a 87-77 victory. bilt would be without its top scorer and but came up short,” Stackhouse said. solid blend of offense and defense. the Southeastern Conference’s leading Trey Thomas led Vanderbilt with Booker is the up-and-comer who TALE OF TWO ROSTERS: Tennessee has rebounder. 14 points. Maxwell Evans had 13, Isaac entered the conversation with two strong been fueled by senior leadership this year Good thing for the 25th-ranked Vols who McBride 11. performances in the sweep of Arkansas- while Auburn has leaned on freshmen. For still have issues to fix as the regular season The Vols lost to Kentucky last weekend, Pine Bluff, going 2-for-6 with three walks the Volunteers, seniors Jaden Springer, John winds to a close. dropping them to their lowest ranking and five RBIs. Fulkerson and Victor Bailey Jr. have col- Victor Bailey Jr. made 5-of-8 3-pointers this season. “Most guys, unfortunately, are result- lectively scored 44 percent of the team’s and finished with 21 points as Tennes- The teams swapped spurts and the lead based confident, so when things go well, points this season, including 54 percent of see beat in-state rival Vanderbilt 70-58 in the first half, but Tennessee took control it boosts their ego and when it doesn’t it all Volunteers points over their last five. In Wednesday night to sweep the season for good by finishing on a 15-2 run capped goes the other way,” Vitello said. “I think the other locker room, freshmen Allen Fla- series. by Olivier Nkamhoua’s layup with 1:04 left Kyle has natural confidence that he is nigan, Jaylin Williams, Sharife Cooper and Tennessee (16-6, 9-6 Southeastern Con- for a 32-22 halftime lead. going to believe in himself either way, JT Thor have collectively accounted for 56 ference) won its eight straight in the series Tennessee led by as much as 17 on a but at the same time, you’re not human percent of Auburn’s scoring this season, and 10th in the last 11 games between the 3-pointer by Bailey with 16:58 remaining. if you don’t feel like you want to fit in, including 64 percent of the team’s points teams. Vanderbilt kept shooting from outside the and these first-year guys sometimes over its last five games. Jaden Springer added 20 points, and Yves arc, making eight 3s in the half and pulled struggle to feel like they belong. Pons had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The within 56-52 with 4:27 left on a dunk by “The bottom line is if they’re on a SEC OFFENSIVE THREAT: Cooper has either Vols turned the ball over 17 times, far too Maxwell Evans. team they fit in against SEC competition. made or assisted on 43 percent of all much for coach Rick Barnes’ comfort. “My teammates were finding me get- Again, I’m just glad to have his first start Auburn field goals over the last five games. “We turned the ball over just way too ting me open looks, and I was able to hit and his first repetitions behind him so The freshman guard has accounted for 23 much, especially early,” Barnes said. “And them,” Bailey said. “So hopefully it contin- they can realize that this isn’t something field goals and 31 assists in those games. we’ve got to stop turn the ball over. Good ues. And next time we hopefully we can to build up like slaying a dragon. It’s just thing probably they didn’t have those two not let other teams get so hot against us.” baseball, what we’ve been doing every COLD SPELL: Auburn has scored 75.7 points guys with the way we were turning the But Evans missed the free throw after day since the whole mess that made us per game and allowed 83.7 over a three- ball over.” being fouled, and Wright missed the front leave the park.” game home losing streak. Vanderbilt (6-13, 2-11) lost its third straight end of a 1-and-1. Russell remembers a time when Ten- with Scotty Pippen Jr., the SEC’s second- Keon Johnson answered with two free nessee did not have the talent or the PASSING FOR POINTS: The Volunteers leading scorer averaging 20.5 points a game throws and a dunk for Tennessee, then fel- competition it has, and that campaign have recently used assists to create baskets sidelined by injury along with Dylan Disu, low freshman Springer scored on a layup, ended with a 29-27 record, far from the more often than the Tigers. Auburn has an named the SEC player of the week after hit two free throws and added another aspirations the Vols have this season. He assist on 33 of 75 field goals (44 percent) putting up back-to-back double-doubles layup to seal the victory. wants to play, but he knows the other over its previous three outings while Ten- last week. Clevon Brown also missed a BIG PICTURE: The Volunteers needed a outfielders deserve to be on the field nessee has assists on 49 of 73 field goals second straight game. big win with Auburn on Saturday. They as well. (67.1 percent) during its past three games. Coach Jerry Stackhouse said after the came in fifth in the SEC standings trying “It’s a lot different from my freshman game that Disu, leading the SEC with 9.2 to climb higher to avoid playing on Thurs- year where we were begging for people DID YOU KNOW: The Tennessee defense rebounds per game, will have surgery Fri- day of the conference tournament in two to go out there and compete,” Russell has forced opponents into turnovers on an day to repair meniscus in his knee. Pippen weeks in Nashville. said. “Now that the talent around me has impressive 23.2 percent of all possessions, will have an MRI on Thursday to check OUTSIDE SHOOTING: Vanderbilt stayed in increased, it’s always a grind to compete which ranks the Volunteers 26th among a hip flexor. this game by shooting well from 3. The day in and day out. Coach (Vitello) does a Division I teams. Auburn has turned the “We’re a little undermanned, had some Commodores came in second in the SEC great job of giving everybody his chance, ball over on 22.2 percent of its possessions lineups out there that we really hadn’t used making 9.2 3s a game, and they went 13-of- no matter who long you’ve been here or (ranking the Tigers 311th, nationally). much this year, but I thought those guys 33 from 3. But they were 3-of-6 at the free who you are. In order to be competitive played their butts off and gave themselves throw line compared to 18-of-22 for UT. in this league, that’s how it should be.” GAME ADDED: The Southeastern Confer- ence announced Thursday that the Ten- nessee men’s basketball team will host Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena on FANS: Sunday, March 7. Television information Rogers has second-best pitching outing in nation so far and tipoff time have yet to be determined. Ticket holders will receive an email explain- FROM B1 The Lady Vols tallied eight hits, but left and a pair of RBIs. ing when digital tickets will be available seven runners on base. The Lady Vols have Friday off and return to be added to their Apple/Android-based Vols brought in the first run on an RBI Rogers also picked up the win on Thurs- to action at the Tennessee Invitational wallet app from their AllVols.com account. single from senior shortstop Ivy Davis day night. She fanned six batters and gave on Saturday with a double header. Game Ticket holders with physical tickets can use (2-for-2), who has reached base each of up just three hits to pick up her second- one is slated for a 12:30 p.m. ET first pitch the ticket labeled for March 3. The 25th- the nine games this season, to get Kaitlin straight win. A season-high eight-run against Northern Kentucky, followed by ranked Volunteers will not have a midweek Parsons (1-for-3) across the plate. inning from the Tennessee offense allowed a 3 p.m. matchup with Eastern Michigan. game next week, so Tennessee will be idle Sophomore Kiki Milloy (1-for-3) led off the Lady Vols to run rule UT Martin 10-1 in All contests that include Tennessee will between this Saturday’s game at Auburn the third with a no-doubter to double the five innings. Senior Amanda Ayala ended be broadcast on the SECN+. Saturday’s (noon ET, ESPN) and the home finale score quickly and give UT some insurance the night with a single-game career-high games will be covered by Madison Ship- against Florida. The Vols plan to honor this and then Davis came home off the bat of two home runs, finishing the contest 2-of- man (Analysis) and Will Boling (PxP) and season’s seniors prior to the game against junior catcher Ally Shipman (1-for-3) in the 3. Sophomore center fielder Kiki Milloy Sunday’s contest will pair up Shipman and the Gators. bottom of the fifth to round out scoring. ended the night 3-for-3 with one home run Michael Wottreng.