On an emotional afternoon that opened with the raising of the 2008 NCAA Championship banner, the Lady Vols continued the celebration with a 68-39 victory over the University of San Francisco Dons (0-1).

The win put the Lady Vols (1-0) at 32-3 in season opening games under coach Pat Summitt, and 7-0 all-time versus West Coast Conference opponents.

"Overall we needed this game," Summitt said. "We need this game before playing an opponent like Virginia."

The fans at Thompson-Boling arena witnessed a much closer first half than anticipated, as USF was able to keep the game close, trailing by only eight points at the half.

"That's the calmest I've ever been in 35 years in a locker room," said Summitt. "They were so uptight. I expected it, but not quite at that level.

"We all went in the locker room in the second half, and said that we need to calm down, play more together," freshman Glory Johnson said. "We were kind of rushing our shots, our offense."

Tennessee would open the second half more offensively paced, with seven points from sophomore Sydney Smallbone. The offensive explosion would turn into a 24-4 Lady Vols run.

Johnson fulfilled expectations, leading the Lady Vols with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

"I like a lot of her decision making," Summitt said. "She's just such a terrific athlete and she can cover so much ground with her quickness."

Freshman Shekinna Stricklen also impressed, with 16 points and nine rebounds, six of those defensive.

"She's a big, long, rangy guard," Summitt said. "She takes a lot of pride in her defense; I thought she really extended better."

"Coach tells us everyday to go crash the boards," Stricklen said. "I think we have the heart to just go rebound."

Tennessee was able to control the game by out-rebounding USF 64-41, with four freshmen getting six or more boards.

"We've got guards that can not only rebound, but want to rebound," Summitt said. "That makes a big difference."

The win was a first for seven Lady Vol newcomers, who now have to face the pressure of defending back-to-back championships.

"It feels good, knowing that you're coming to a team with a history of wins," Johnson said. "Knowing that we just did that, we just won. It feels good."

The Lady Vols face the Virginia Cavaliers on Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena.