Before his team’s national semifinal game against Tennessee Friday night, Arkansas coach Gary Blair talked about how the Razorbacks liked to press. He talked about trying to stop Chamique Holdsclaw and how his team had done so in a game two years ago.
He also talked about a particular defense Arkansas has employed called HTM — “Hope They Miss.”
But even when Tennessee misses, it doesn’t seem to bother the Lady Vols much. Friday night, in front of 17,976 at Kemper Arena, Tennessee overcame a not-so-hot first half of shooting to defeat Southeastern Conference rival Arkansas, 86-58.
“I told the players, ‘We’re right where we want to be,’ ” said coach Pat Summitt, whose team will defend its two-time national championship Sunday night against Louisiana Tech. “They put themselves in that position.”
The problem for Arkansas was it shot worse — 18-for-58 from the field — than Tennessee.
Holdsclaw led the Lady Vols with 23 points and freshman Semeka Randall had 22. Tennessee (38-0) held its own in the pink paint under the basket, outscoring the Razorbacks, 54-14.
The outcome was in doubt about 10 minutes. That’s when Tennessee led 18-12 — with 10 minutes, 16 seconds left in the first half. An 8-1 run gave the Lady Vols control.
“I thought the first half, the defensive intensity was right where we wanted it to be,” Summitt said. “Our shot selection was poor. We missed some easy shots. The second half, I was pleased. Our decision-making was better.”
Tennessee led 39-28 at halftime. The Lady Vols shot 39 percent (15-for-38) and were outrebounded by Arkansas, 25-22.
It helped their cause that Arkansas was 9 of 29 in the half. Tennessee also hurt the Razorbacks in the pink, outscoring them, 26-2.
Arkansas point guard Christy Smith missed three NBA three-pointers, hitting the front of the rim, and finished the half 1-for-7 from the field. Junior Treva Christensen led the Razorbacks with 10 points. Smith finished her career with four points on 1-for-11 shooting.
Just when Arkansas had cause to hope, Holdsclaw deflated it. Christensen cut Tennessee’s lead to 36-28 with two free throws in the final 12.2 seconds of the half. Holdsclaw then ran down the floor, faked a three-pointer and passed to Kellie Jolly, who made a three-pointer to end the half.
The halftime talk must have been memorable.
“Coach got on us about . . . what was it?” Holdsclaw asked Summitt in the press conference.
“Must have been real important,” Summitt said.
“Oh yeah, quick shots and rebounding,” Holdsclaw said. “To move to the ball and work it on offense.
“Sorry,” she added, to Summitt.
“Just remember it Sunday night,” Summitt said.
The Vols obviously didn’t forget in the opening moments of the second half, which they opened with a 13-1 run.
“They went back to the drawing board and worked on what they do best, which is attack the basket,” Blair said.
Randall harassed Smith constantly. She trapped her on the sideline at one point, then smacked Smith’s pass to Jolly under the basket. Jolly made the layup. On the next trip down the floor, Randall made a jumper in Smith’s face for a 46-28 Tennessee lead.
At that point, Tennessee sophomore Niya Butts, who sees limited time because of shin splints, got off the bench, turned to the fans behind her and waved her arms. The crowd cheered.
As if the Lady Vols needed the help.