RUSTON - Louisiana Tech hit only 20 percent of its field goals as the No. 4 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols downed the Lady Techsters 60-35 before 6,836 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center Wednesday night.

The Lady Vols (6-1) opened the game hitting their first five shots, including a trio of three-pointers, and never looked back as No. 13 ranked Tech (2-2) hit only 15 percent of its shots in the first half en route to a 41-14 halftime deficit.

"I thought the girls came ready to play and gave it everything they had, but we just couldn't get the ball in the basket," said Tech head coach Kurt Budke, who saw his home coaching debut spoiled by Tennessee. "If you had told me we would force Tennessee into 26 turnovers and hold them to 60 points, then I would have told you we were going to win this game."

"Obviously, the thing tonight was we just didn't shoot the ball," Budke added. "You aren't going to beat a bad team shooting 15 percent in the first half. Let's give Tennessee some credit; they played great defense, and they are coached by the best coach in the country. I was proud of our young ladies for not quitting."

The Lady Techsters hit only 6 of 39 first half shots while the Lady Vols scorched the nets for 54 percent in the opening stanza. After Tennessee opened the game with the 10-run, Tech would get no closer than 13-6 at the 14:17 mark of the first half. Time after time, the Lady Techsters couldn't hit open shots from the perimeter while Tennessee clamped down on the Tech interior game.

For the game, Tech hit only 14 of 70 field goals.

"It's frustrating," said junior forward Trina Frierson, who led Tech with 12 points on five of 16 shooting. "But we kept our defensive pressure up regardless of what happened on the offensive end. It's very frustrating to make those shots any other day, and they not fall today. We are going to stay positive and stay together."

Senior forward Gwen Jackson and junior guard Tasha Butts led the Lady Vols with 12 points apiece while Kara Lawson added 11 and freshman guard Shanna Zolman chipped in with 11 of her own.

"Obviously, anytime you can come into Ruston and get a win you have to be excited," said Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt. "I'm really proud for our basketball team. I thought tonight we executed our game plan on both ends. I think this was good environment for our kids to come into and play."

Despite the 25-point loss, Budke said he was taking some positives from the game.

"Defensively, I thought we were pretty solid," Budke said. "There won't be too many times Tennessee is held to 60 points this year, and that is something we can built on. We knew this was going to be a roller coaster ride early. We thought we would score a little better early, but we've got to figure out a way to find some points."

Junior forward Amisha Carter came off the Tech bench to score a career-high 10 points and grab six rebounds, while sophomore guard Erica Smith was the Lady Techster next highest scorer with only five points.

"They are a big name and I feel like we are a big name," Frierson said. "I came to Louisiana Tech to play the Tennessee's. They are a great team and have a great coach, but we have the same things ... a great coach and a great team."

Summitt agreed with Frierson assessment. "I think Kurt Budke is going to do an outstanding job here," Summitt said. "He is coming into a situation where he has some big shoes to fill. He's been very successful and he knows how to win. He has a lot of young player so it may take some time. I think he will do a great job."

Tech returns to action Saturday when the Lady Techsters travel to New Orleans to face Tulane at 3 p.m. at the New Orleans Arena.