No. 8 Tennessee holds off celebrated freshman Brittney Griner, No. 7 Baylor in 74-65 win

No. 8 Tennessee beats No. 7 Baylor 74-65

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Shekinna Stricklen had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 8 Tennessee beat No. 7 Baylor 74-65 on Sunday in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic.

All the buzz entering the game was about Brittney Griner, the Lady Bears’ celebrated recruit who dunked in an exhibition game. The 6-foot-8 Griner dunked a few times in warmups and scored 15 points, but never got close enough to the rim for a chance to dunk during the game.

The Lady Volunteers (1-0) used a combination of post players — who spent much of the game in foul trouble — to shut down Griner.

Stricklen hit a fast-break layup on a steal and assist from Kamiko Williams to cap a 14-2 run that gave the Lady Vols a 52-38 lead with 9:49 left. Baylor (0-1) got within nine points several times.

Melissa Jones led Lady Bears with 21 points.