KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Central Arkansas was held to just 10 second-half points – including none in the fourth quarter – as the Sugar Bears fell 77-34 at No. 12 Tennessee in Thompson-Boling Arena Thursday night.

The Lady Vols (7-0) outscored the Sugar Bears (3-2) 17-0 in the final period and 34-10 in the second half to pull away after building a 19-point halftime lead. In the second half, the Sugar Bears were just 5 of 30 (16.7 percent) and were held without a 3-pointer or a single free throw attempt. Tennessee, meanwhile, shot 52.4 percent and were 11 of 14 at the free throw line, where the Lady Vols were 24 of 30 for the game compared to just 2 of 4 for the Sugar Bears.

The Sugar Bears were outrebounded 43-32, but held a 19-16 advantage in offensive rebounds – led by a combined nine from freshmen Hannah Langhi (5 in 22 minutes) and Mekaylan Hicks (4 in 17). Unfortunately that did not translate to many scores as the Lady Vols held a 21-8 advantage in second-chance points. The Sugar Bears were also plagued by 24 turnovers, which the Lady Vols converted into 22 points.

Taylor Baudoin had 11 points and 7 rebounds in 24 minutes for the Sugar Bears, while Taylor Sells had 8 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, a block and an assist while playing all 40 minutes. Angel Williams hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.

Karma Orr had 2 assists to lead the Sugar Bears, who had a total of just 4 on their 14 made baskets. Tennessee had 15 on their 25.

The Lady Vols got 19 points and 10 rebounds from Mercedes Russell, 14 points from Anastasia Hayes and 11 from Meme Jackson.

The Sugar Bears are back at the Farris Center for two next week, hosting Williams Baptist on Monday and Central Baptist on Thursday before heading to Texas A&M next Saturday.

NOTES
• The Sugar Bears fall to 2-5 against SEC teams, and 0-10 against teams ranked in the Top 25
• It was the first time the Sugar Bears have been held scoreless in a quarter, and the first time the Lady Vols have shut a team out for a quarter since NCAA women's basketball began playing quarters in 2015-16
• The 34 points was the lowest total by a Sugar Bear team in the program's Division I history

QUOTES
Head Coach Sandra Rushing

Opening Statement:
"I'm glad it's over, that's all I can say. I felt like, I mean, Tennessee is good. They're bigger.
They're faster. They're stronger. I think this is one of the best teams that Holly (Warlick)
has had. They're playing together. We knew going into the ballgame, no matter what we
threw at them, they had an answer. We never really got a good double in the post. Our
biggest player is maybe 6'1". In transition defense, against Tennessee, you can't get back
to half-court. You've got to get all the way back. I've got a lot of respect for Holly and what
she's doing. This is a good experience for our program. I'm glad, especially a lot of our
younger players, stepped in. I thought Taylor Sells, a sophomore, did a great job for us.
She played a lot of minutes. I'm disappointed as far as our effort. With blocking out, we can
still be in position to block out, and we were watching the ball. We may not get it, but at
least, I wish we were in better position."

On the culture shock of playing an NAIA team and then playing on the road against
Tennessee:
"Well, it was quick. We played Baylor, and then we have two more. The reason that was set
up, our schedule like that, because I have eight new players. It gave my freshman the
opportunity the other night to play a lot. Nothing takes the place of experience. That was
really why we did that. We've played Tennessee before. We knew exactly what we were
going to get. Players need to show up. You can't decide when to pick-and- choose when
you're going to play. I think we need to practice harder. It wasn't a shock when they were
bigger, faster, but I wanted us to compete. That was my biggest thing."

Comparing Baylor and Tennessee:
"They're both really, really good. Of course, I don't want to stick my nose out there to say
one is better than the other, but I did talk to Holly. She knows how I feel. So, I'm going to
keep it at that."

On not scoring in the fourth quarter:
"I think Tennessee's tough. I think we were scared. I had a senior that had a lay-up, and we
missed it. I had freshmen in there, too. I chose not to play TB (Taylor Baudoin), KJ (Kierra
Jordan) and Kamry Orr. I wanted them to sit over there. I think we need to show up at the
beginning of the game. I thought TB played a good first half, but we've got to be consistent.
Tennessee was just doing what they wanted to, when they wanted to, how they wanted to.
We tried a zone, and we knew with our little, short guards, they were going to lob it over.
They do a great job on the off-side. They're going to seal, throw it up. There's just no
comparison. We knew what we were in for. I just thought we could've given a little bit more
effort."

On Tennessee's guard play:
"They can get in there (in the zone). They put it on the floor. The thing is, they play well
together. One thing I've noticed about Tennessee, this team, this year, they really play
together. They play well off of each other. When you've got your team playing that way,
they play unselfish, from what I've seen on film and here tonight. Everybody's encouraging
each other. They're tremendous. I'd like one of them."

On what she gets out of coming and playing Tennessee:
"Well, I think it's national recognition for our program. Of course, I wish the score was a
little bit closer, but it gives our players an opportunity to play on the big stage. We've been
fortunate the last couple of years to go to the NCAA tournament and play on the big stage. I
want them to see it early. We have Baylor, we have Tennessee and then, we are going to
Texas A&M. Our young players need to experience that. I don't want, if we have the
opportunity to get to conference and play in a championship or go to the NCAA tournament,
(to lack experience). I want them to experience this. I remind them that we have. I did
remind them that we were on the big stage, and that we need to relax. But tonight, we took
and forced some really bad shots. At Baylor, we were able to hold the shot clock and take it
at five seconds. Tonight, every time I turned around, it was going up. Then, you miss, and
we've got to go down and defend Tennessee. That's why we play them. I want our players
to know where we want to be with the effort and tradition. It's not like we'll ever win a
national championship, but we can win championships and go to the NCAA tournament."