An 18-point deficit proved to be too much for Lady Vols basketball against No. 4 LSU, and Tennessee dropped its second straight game in SEC play.
No. 15 Tennessee fell 89-87 to the Tigers (18-0, 3-0 SEC) in a marquee matchup at Food City Center on Thursday. Senior guard Jewel Spear and sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper led the way for Tennessee (13-2, 1-2) with 25 points and 24 points, respectively. The Lady Vols came back and made it a game in the third quarter, but couldn’t overtake the Tigers or build a lead once they got it.
The Lady Vols didn’t foul LSU on the final possession with the game tied at 87-87, forcing the Tigers to make a shot or let the game go to overtime. Kailyn Gilbert made a tough, off-balance layup, only leaving 0.9 seconds for Tennessee to respond.
LSU dominates boards, transition in first half vs Lady Vols
Tennessee couldn’t stop LSU in transition in the first quarter, and it led to a 26-17 lead for the Tigers after the first quarter. They ended the first half with 16 fast-break points. The Lady Vols couldn’t put pressure on LSU fast enough and couldn’t set up their press at first, and LSU got to the rim easily…