GREENVILLE, SC – The Lady Vols’ SEC Tournament streak came to an end amid a sea of whistles and a 67-52 loss to South Carolina on Saturday night.
Tennessee, 16-7, fell behind by double digits in the first quarter to South Carolina, 21-4, and was eliminated in the semifinals at Greenville. Georgia and South Carolina will meet on Sunday for the SEC tournament title.
Jordan Horston and Jordan Walker led Lady Vols with 11 points each, while Zia Cooke led Gamecocks with 17 points, and Aliyah Boston added 15 points and 11 boards.
South Carolina scored first after two quick fouls in Tennessee, and Rae Burrell responded for Tennessee. Rennia Davis tied the game 4-4 on the line, a Davis pass to Tamari Key to Marta Suárez tied the game 6-6 and Horston tied the game 8-8 with a tray. Davis placed Tennessee with 11-10 from the arc, and Aliyah Boston replied that he placed South Carolina with 13-11.
Tennessee coach Kellie Harper asked for a 2:47 timeout when the Gamecocks increased the lead to 20-11, and Davis responded to 20-13, but fouls accumulated for Tennessee – seven to two for the Gamecocks in the first 10 minutes – and South Carolina led, 29-13, at the end of the first quarter.
Horston reached the limit to put Tennessee and Walker on the line to make the 32-17 in the second quarter, while officials worked to clear the fault gap by calling the game differently in the second quarter, although already after affecting the start of the semifinal. The Lady Vols also did not help their cause by shooting 26 percent in the first 15 minutes with eight spins and hitting 1-8 on the arc, while South Carolina hit 3-6 from a long distance.
Key finished one and one to pull Lady Vols to 32-20, and South Carolina responded from the bow again. Walker and Key’s buckets narrowed the gap to 35-24, but the Gamecocks led 39-25 at the break.
South Carolina scored the first five points of the third quarter, securing a 44-25 lead, before Davis found Key in for a 44-27 score and a Walker three and Burrell and a 46-33 make. Tennessee narrowed the gap again to 13 points, but three fouls canceled the race, and South Carolina led 59-39 at the end of the third quarter.
Davis scored at the start of the fourth period, but the Gamecocks managed a three- to 62-41 lead. Tennessee got a little closer at 62-47 with 2:45 left, but never recovered from the first quarter.
Full coverage of the game, including pressers, to come.