Tennessee forward Bashaara Graves (12) goes for a shot next to LSU forward Shanece McKinney (21) during their NCAA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Knoxville.
Tennessee center Isabelle Harrison (20) is defended by LSU forward Sheila Boykin (42) Thursday in Knoxville, Tenn.KNOXVILLE – LSU spent the first 35½ minutes of Thursday’s game building a seemingly insurmountable lead.
The 16th-ranked Lady Tigers spent the final 4½ minutes nearly giving it all back.
LSU overcame its struggles down the stretch to hang on for an 80-77 road win against No. 5 Tennessee. Danielle Ballard matched a career high with 25 points as the Lady Tigers (11-2, 1-0 SEC) ended a seven-game losing streak in this rivalry and snapped the Lady Vols’ string of 16 consecutive victories in SEC openers.
“We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game,” LSU coach Nikki Caldwell said. “I’m just so proud of our team for really taking our game plan and trying to execute it. Players stepped up and made big plays. We knew that Tennessee was going to come at us and was going to make a run because that’s who they are. I can’t say enough for how proud I am of this group for really just laying it on the line and being courageous to come into this type of environment and come out with a win.”
LSU produced this surprise on a night when Tennessee (11-2, 0-1) retired the No. 3 jersey of Candace Parker, who led Tennessee to national titles in 2007 and 2008.