Facing a 16-point handicap against a runner-up South Carolina team in the country, things looked bleak for Lady Vols on Thursday night. With 12-5 overall and losers in two consecutive games, Tennessee had to invent something for a spark.
A 12-point advantage for Gamecocks offered trainer Kellie Harper the perfect opportunity to challenge her team.
“(Harper) said we were playing soft and I took it personally,” said Rennia Davis. “My first half, I just wasn’t doing enough for the team. I took it personally and so did my teammates. We got there and I thought we had grown in the second half ”.
Davis did not score a single point in the first half, but returned with 24 points in the second half, taking Lady Vols to a major turnaround. A brilliant return from Tennessee stopped South Carolina’s perfect run on the SEC list, taking them to 17-3 overall.
Rae Burrell kept Tennessee alive early, keeping things within reach of Lady Vols. She finished with 19 points in 33 minutes, hitting 9-17 shots off the field. Jordan Horston added 12 points and five assists to the cause.
Tennessee erased the lead in the third quarter, thanks to Davis’ recovery. The Lady Vols claimed their first advantage just before the third quarter ended, before allowing the Gamecocks to return and established a four point lead to open the fourth. But three consecutive points from Burrell and Davis quickly tied for 62, which is where Tennessee took control forever. A Horston pan and an important Davis rebound, followed by two more free throws eliminated this.
Lady Vols came out with a big 75-67 victory over South Carolina, adding a victory that will look very good in a few weeks when the NCAA Tournament committee sets the course. Prior to that victory, Tennessee was on line four on ESPN. Let’s see where they land after pulling this turn.
Tennessee will be back in action in Georgia on Sunday at noon ET.