Ole Miss vs Tennessee Recap – Lady Vols Pour It On Early And Hold Off Rebels
KNOXVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Lady Vols hosted the Ole Miss Rebels on Thursday night, and it was a game that will be remembered for a while. The Lady Vols came out strong, pouring it on early and holding off the Rebels for a 77-66 victory.
The game got off to a blistering start, with the Lady Vols scoring the first 10 points and taking a 15-2 lead just five minutes into the game. Ole Miss struggled to get anything going on offense, turning the ball over five times in the first quarter and shooting just 1-10 from the field.
Tennessee, on the other hand, was clicking on all cylinders. The Lady Vols shot 7-12 from the field in the first quarter, including 3-5 from three-point range. They also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Rebels 12-4 in the first quarter.
The Lady Vols’ strong start was led by senior guard, Jordan Horston, who scored 10 points in the first quarter, including two three-pointers. Horston finished the game with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Ole Miss struggled to get back into the game, but they did manage to cut the deficit to 10 points at halftime. The Rebels came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Vols 21-15 and cutting the deficit to just 4 points.
However, the Lady Vols were able to hold off the Rebels’ surge and maintain their lead. Tennessee outscored Ole Miss 23-18 in the fourth quarter, securing the 77-66 victory.
“We knew Ole Miss was a good team, and we knew they would make a run,” said Tennessee head coach, Kellie Harper. “But our players showed a lot of poise and composure, and we were able to hold them off.”
The win was a big one for the Lady Vols, who improved to 18-5 on the season and 7-2 in the SEC. Ole Miss fell to 17-6 on the season and 6-3 in the SEC.
Tennessee’s victory was also a testament to the team’s depth and balance. In addition to Horston’s 23 points, the Lady Vols also got 18 points from Rickea Jackson, 15 points from Jasmine Powell, and 10 points from Tamari Key.
“Tonight was a great team effort,” said Harper. “We had a lot of players contribute, and that’s what we need to be successful.”
Ole Miss, on the other hand, was led by Shakira Austin, who scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Rebels also got 18 points from Madison Scott and 12 points from Angel Baker.
Despite the loss, Ole Miss head coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, was proud of her team’s effort.
“I thought our players showed a lot of heart and determination,” said McPhee-McCuin. “We just came up a little short.”
The Lady Vols will be back in action on Sunday, when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores. Ole Miss will travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers on Sunday.
In the end, it was a big win for the Lady Vols, and one that could have a significant impact on the SEC standings. Tennessee is now in sole possession of second place in the SEC, and they are just one game behind league-leading South Carolina.
“We’re feeling good about where we are right now,” said Harper. “But we know we have a lot of work to do. We’re going to enjoy this win tonight, but tomorrow we’ll be back to work, getting ready for our next game.”
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