Schaquilla Nunn #4, Kortney Dunbar #13, Alexa Middleton #33, Mercedes Russell #21 and Meme Jackson #10 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers celebrating after the win against Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena on Feb. 23, 2017. Adrien Terricabras • The Daily Beacon
Lady Vols best Florida on Senior Night Tyler Wombles Copy Editor Redshirt senior forward Schaquilla Nunn has played an almost behind-the-scenes role this season for the Lady Vols, often subbing in to provide relief for junior center Mercedes Russell in the post. She has played in the most physical spot on the court but has not received the attention or the acclaim that some of her teammates have. On Thursday’s final home game for the Lady Vols, Nunn finally had her moment.
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Nunn played a pivotal role in Tennessee’s 74-70 victory over Florida, the Lady Vols’ Senior Night, grabbing a key rebound and nailing two free throws to put away the Gators. “I don’t think we win the game without Schaquilla Nunn tonight,” head coach Holly Warlick said. “In all of our big games, she is just a kid that comes down with rebounds and A-1 plays and gets shots off … She’s a fighter, and she battles. “She wanted to come here and make a difference, and she has made a difference with this basketball team.”
The Lady Vols offense faltered to begin the game, with the team failing to score until junior forward Jaime Nared made two free throws at the 5:31 mark in the first quarter. Tennessee shored away their offensive woes in the second period and outscored the Gators 22-10 in the quarter to go into halftime leading 35-32. The two rivals traded blows throughout the third quarter, with the advantage changing hands several times. Florida scored just one more point than Tennessee, recording 22 to Tennessee’s 21. The Lady Vols held just a two-point lead,
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56-54, to start the fourth quarter. With 36.6 seconds remaining on the clock, junior guard Diamond DeShields, making her return to the court after sitting against Arkansas with a neck injury, passed the ball to Nunn, who hit a layup to put Tennessee ahead 69-68. Florida cut Tennessee’s lead to 71-70 shortly after, but rebounds by Nunn and Nared, and 2-for-2 trip to the free throw line by Nunn sealed the deal for the Lady Vols. Nunn had seven points and seven rebounds in the game. See LADY VOLS on Page 8
Friday, February 24, 2017