Baker scores 20, No. 15 Lady Vols dominate first half and Middle Tennessee 85-41

Murfreesboro Tenn AP Janiah Barker scored points and grabbed rebounds and No Tennessee dominated the first half to roll to an - win over Middle Tennessee on Thursday night Barker scored the first five points of the tournament and the Lady Vols scored the first including back-to-back -pointers from Talaysia Cooper They added a - run and led - after one quarter Another - run in the second quarter after Zee Spearman scored the first five points of the quarter helped make it - at the half Deniya Prawl had points off the bench for Tennessee - which had a - rebounding advantage Cooper added points and Mya Pauldo had Savannah Davis had points for the Blue Raiders - who shot and had turnovers that were converted into points for the Lady Vols Kirston Verhulst added points The lead remained above points throughout the the second half Up next Tennessee is home against Coppin State on Sunday Middle Tennessee plays Providence on Monday in the Emerald Coast Classic in Destin Florida Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top throughout the season Sign up here AP women s college basketball https apnews com hub ap-top- -womens-college-basketball-poll and https apnews com hub womens-college-basketball Source