KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee is turning one of its biggest weaknesses from last season into a strength.Alexa Middleton scored a career-high 21 points as No. 13 Tennessee capitalized on sizzling 3-point shooting Sunday to beat Navy 85-55 and win a home opener for the 17th consecutive season. Tennessee (2-0) hasnt lost a home opener since a 69-64 decision against Louisiana Tech in 1999.The Lady Volunteers shot 12 of 14 from 3-point range, with Middleton going 6 of 7. After making just 25.4 percent of its 3-pointers last season to rank last in the Southeastern Conference, Tennessee has shot 56.4 percent (22 of 39) from 3-point range this season.I know a lot of people last year said we couldnt shoot the ball, Middleton said. Were trying to make sure we can hit those open shots because people are sagging in on (center Mercedes Russell), and shes going to kick the ball out. Weve got to be able to hit those shots if we want to do well.This marks the first time Tennessee has made at least 10 3-point baskets in consecutive games since November 2011. Tennessee shot 10 of 25 from 3-point range Friday in a season-opening victory at James Madison.Russell had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Tennessee. Jordan Reynolds had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Diamond DeShields added 14 points.Ashanti Kennedy scored 16 points and Taylor Dunham added 14 for Navy (0-2).This game was a mismatch in terms of height.Navys tallest player was 6-foot freshman forward Laurel Jaunich, and its other four starters were 5-8 or shorter. Tennessees starting lineup included four players taller than 6 feet, including the 6-6 Russell.Navy still briefly led in the second quarter and only trailed 43-35 at the half, which caused the Lady Vols to receive a stern halftime lecture from coach Holly Warlick.My expectations for them are high, and these kids understand it, Warlick said. I saw things I havent seen in practice for whatever reason. Im just not going to tolerate no effort.Tennessee gradually put the game out of reach as Navy cooled off. After shooting 5 of 11 from 3-point range in the first half, Navy was 1 of 9 the rest of the way.Playing against Tennessee, everyone was really excited, Dunham said. We had a lot of energy and we were hitting shots. Everyone was making big plays. I wouldnt say our energy was that much different in the second half, but Tennessee definitely picked theirs up.THE TAKEAWAYNavy: A lack of height will force Navy to rely on its outside shooting this season. Tennessee outrebounded Navy 47-29. Through its first two games, Navy has been outrebounded 94-51 and has shot 19 of 46 from 3-point range.Tennessee: Middleton has shown remarkable scoring punch in the first two games of the season after averaging just 3 points per game last season and 3.8 points per game in 2014-15. The 5-9 junior had 18 points off the bench against James Madison and was even more productive Sunday. Middleton is 10 of 11 from 3-point range thus far.PAYING TRIBUTETennessee went through its pregame shooting drills wearing special Veterans Day T-shirts. The back of the shirts said Thank You and mentioned the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.Navy wore purple T-shirts with the message We Back Pat to honor former Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, who died June 28 after battling early-onset dementia, Alzheimers type.The Lady Vols gave Navys players miniature basketballs with messages thanking them for their serviceThere are so many crazy things going on right now, Warlick said. Weve all got to pull together. ... Our military is there to help us and to make sure I can be a female coaching womens basketball, and these young ladies -- black or white -- can go out and perform, and they have that opportunity and we pay for their education. That comes from people fighting for our freedom.UP NEXTNavy hosts Hofstra on Friday.Tennessee is at East Tennessee State on Tuesday.---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargee Yoenis Cespedes Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Devin Mesoraco Mets Jersey . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/gary-carter-mets-jersey/ . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Carlos Gomez Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Jacob deGrom Mets Jersey . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. CHICAGO -- The Los Angeles Dodgers added Kike Hernandez to their NL Championship Series roster and started him at second base in Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.Left-hander Alex Wood also made the roster, while infielder Charlie Culberson and catcher Austin Barnes were left off for this round. Los Angeles opted for 12 pitchers in the best-of-seven series.The 25-year-old Hernandez hit .190 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 109 games this year. He went 2 for 24 with 12 strikeouts over his last 10 regular-season games and was not active in the Division Series against Washington.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he likes Hernandezs athleticism and versatility. His addition to the lineup gave Los Angeles another right-handed batter against Cubs lefty Jon Lester in the opener.It was a tough decision with Charlie, but I think to have Kike, to get him to start tonight at second base, I think it could pay huge benefits for us, Roberts said.Los Angeles also decided to go with two catchers after carrying threee in the Division Series against Washington.dddddddddddd. Chicago stayed with three catchers.The major change for the Cubs was the addition of rookie left-hander Rob Zastryzny. Chicago infielder Tommy La Stella was left off the roster.Zastryzny went 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in eight games this year, including 3 2/3 scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 27.Very high level of confidence in Rob Z, manager Joe Maddon said. Im certain that when he goes out there, whenever we do put him out there, there might be a little bit of nervousness within the first two pitches, which I absolutely would want him to be, but after that I think hes the kind of guy that would settle in rather quickly. Hes got good makeup. Hes solid.The move puts four left-handers in the Cubs bullpen. The Dodgers hit .213 against lefty pitching this year.---This story has been corrected to show Alex Wood is a left-hander. ' ' '
