Rain shortens Lady Vols win

The fourth-ranked Tennessee women's basketball team was awarded a 66-39 victory at Mississippi when strong storms sent water spilling onto the floor with 5:24 left in Thursday night's game.

Players were running downcourt on a fastbreak when Mississippi's Kenyotta Jenkins crashed to the floor in the middle of the water and play was halted. The delay lasted about 20 minutes before the game was ended.

Brian Russell, an assistant director of event operations at Ole Miss, said high winds during the storms caused rain to fly sideways through air vents in the roof.

Russell said the game officials called to get approval from the Southeastern Conference before calling the game.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said the safety of both teams was the top priority.

"I'm just glad nobody got hurt," she said. "Now I hope we can get home."

Even before the rain delay, there wasn't much doubt about the outcome of the game.

The Lady Vols (27-2, 15-0), jumped to a 31-7 lead in the first 12 minutes, need one more victory to complete an undefeated conference season for the first time since 2007 and the ninth time overall in the history of the program.

Glory Johnson led the Lady Vols with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Vicki Baugh scored 12 points and Alicia Manning added 11.

Tennessee outrebounded Ole Miss 43-15.

Ole Miss (10-17, 3-12) closed to within 49-35 with 15:05 remaining in the second half, but Tennessee responded with an 8-0 run.

Valencia McFarland had 14 points for the Rebels, who have lost six straight games. Ole Miss shot just 31.1 percent (14-of-45) from the field.