The rebounding column has been a dependable and accurate predictor for the Lady Tigers in Southeastern Conference play.
In its 10 conference victories, No. 4 LSU (23-2, 10-2) has outrebounded its opponents. But in their only loss this season prior to Sunday afternoon’s game against Tennessee, Arkansas outrebounded the Lady Tigers, 34-32.
The trend held true to form as the No. 3 Lady Volunteers (24-3, 12-0) outrebounded LSU 42-29 en route to a 68-65 road victory in front of a crowd of 14,501 at the PMAC.
Tennessee fought for 14 offensive rebounds and turned those into 18 second-chance points.
“We got killed in second-chance points,” LSU head coach Sue Gunter said. “They’ve always been terrific boarding, and they do it year in and year out.”
Tennessee is first in the conference with a positive 12.3 rebound margin in conference contests. LSU is second with a positive 4.5 margin.
“As dominant as we were, unfortunately, they sent two to the offensive boards, and we matched it with two,” said Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt. “I really felt they did a great job with two players. They were getting back, I’m sure, because of our transition attack.”
Summitt said she thought the Lady Vols made rebounding adjustments in the second half.
“I thought in the second half, we hesitated to go to the offensive boards,” Summitt said. “Once we got going, obviously this team is a great rebounding team when they want to be. They have to be if they want to win big games.”
Freshman Seimone Augustus said LSU will work harder on cleaning up the glass.
“We have to work on rebounding and blocking out,” Augustus said.
Reigning SEC Player of the Week, forward Aiysha Smith, led LSU with six rebounds. Smith echoed Augustus’ sentiments.
“We’re just going to have to find bodies and box them out,” Smith said. “We were just going to the boards and letting [Tennessee] come over our backs because we didn’t box them out.”
Tennessee also dominated points off the bench, getting 35 from its reserves compared to just six for LSU.
“Thirty-five to six off the bench scoring,” Summitt said. “We had really key possessions from players that stepped up and made the plays.”
Guard Shanna Zolman and forward Shyra Ely combined for 22 off of the pine. Courtney McDaniel also added seven and Brittany Jackson scored four.
Meanwhile, center DeTrina White led the Lady Tigers off the bench.
White, who Gunter previously said would not be available until the NCAA Tournament, scored four off the bench in her surprise return. Center Crystal White added the only other bucket for the LSU reserves.
“Pat has always substituted very, very freely,” Gunter said. “I think this is a team Pat likes a whole lot. It is void of superstars. She’s playing a lot of people. She’s got confidence in a lot of people and they’re producing for her.”