SEC/TOP 25 WOMEN

1st game without Summitt defeat

— Tennessee’s first game of the post-Pat Summitt era revealed in stunning fashion just how much has changed for one of the signature programs in women’s college basketball.

Taylor Hall scored 24 points Friday as Chattanooga stunned No. 20 Tennessee 80-71 in the Lady Vols’ first game under new Coach Holly Warlick, who spent the past 27 seasons as an assistant on Summitt’s staff. Chattanooga never trailed in the second half and beat a ranked opponent for the first time ever.

By the end of the game, a McKenzie Arena crowd of 8,468 that had seemed equally divided at the start of the night was gleefully chanting “UTC!” Several dozen fans stormed the court afterward to celebrate with the Lady Mocs.

Summitt, who announced last year she had early-onset dementia, stepped down in April after collecting 1,098 victories, 8 national titles and 18 Final Four appearances in 38 seasons. She was succeeded by Warlick, a former three time All-America guard for Tennessee who was the first athlete at the school to have her number retired.

Summitt remains on staff as head coach emeritus and attends most of Tennessee’s practices. She watched Friday’s game from the fifth row in a narrow section behind and to the right of Tennessee’s bench. Summitt was approached for dozens of photographs and autographs by fans of both teams before the opening tip.

In another game involving a SEC team in the top 25, Jude Schimmel’s steal and layup with 24 seconds remaining gave No. 9 Louisville a 47-45 victory over No. 15 Texas A&M in Louisville. With the game tied 45-45, Texas A&M tried to inbound the ball at half-court and Schimmel swooped in to grab it and put Louisville ahead. Kelsey Bone had a chance to tie it but missed a layup with 11 seconds remaining. Sara Hammond got the rebound for the Cardinals, drawing a foul.

Sports, Pages 25 on 11/10/2012

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