Earlier this week, Tennessee returned to the national rankings in women’s basketball for the first time in the 2020-21 season. It might be a short stay.
The Lady Volunteers, No. 23 in The Associated Press Top 25 and No. 24 in the coaches poll, went from the brink of a blowout win to a battle for control to a gut-punch loss Thursday night in Knoxville, losing 67-66 to Southeastern Conference rival Georgia after leading by 17 points early in the second half.
When Tennessee sophomore center Tamari Key made a layup 11 seconds into the third quarter, the Lady Vols (8-2, 2-1) pushed their lead to 42-25. The Lady Bulldogs (11-1, 3-1) chipped away from there, going ahead for the first time – and for good – when Que Morrison hit a 3-pointer with 47 seconds to play in the third.
Georgia outscored Tennessee 29-9 in the period on the way to its first win in Knoxville since 1996, a run of 15 straight losses for the Lady Dogs, whose biggest lead Thursday was eight points twice, the last time with 4:07 to play.
The Lady Vols closed their gap to its final margin on a layup by Rennia Davis on a Rae Burrell assist with 29 seconds remaining. Tennessee had possession twice in the final 13 seconds but gave it away both times, finishing the game with 24 turnovers that led to 23 Georgia points.