Lady Vols done at SEC tourney
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Meoshonti Knight scored 16 points and 12th-seeded Alabama made 10 of 14 free throws in the final minute to upset fifth-seeded Tennessee 72-64 in the second round of the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball tournament Thursday.
The Crimson Tide (19-12) earned their third straight win over the Lady Volunteers (1911) after losing 42 straight in the series and also ended Tennessee’s 23-game winning streak in SEC tournament openers.
The Lady Vols had a 10-point lead early in the third quarter before the Tide went on a 16-2 run. Jordan Lewis and Knight hit back-to-back 3-pointers during that stretch, with Knight making it 38-36. Tennessee made just one of its last 11 shots and trailed 43-39 entering the fourth quarter after Hannah Cook hit a late 3 for the Tide.
Alabama led by seven in the fourth quarter, but a layup by Jaime Nared pull the Lady Vols within 62-60 with 1:12 left.
Lewis started the free-throw parade with 59.2 seconds left, when Tennessee’s Diamond DeShields fouled out, and went 5-of-6 down the stretch.
Mercedes Russell had 16 points and DeShields 15 for Tennessee, which had won three straight entering the tournament, the last on the road against No. 2 Mississippi State. It is only the fifth time in 38 SEC tournaments the Lady Vols lost their first game.
› Georgia 56, Auburn 52: Pachis Roberts scored 15 points with nine rebounds, Mackenzie Engram had 12 and 10 and Caliya Robinson made the clinching free throws with four seconds left for the Lady Bulldogs (16-14). Robinson finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Janiah McKay finished with 13 points and Katie Frerking added 12 for the Tigers (17-14).
› LSU 65, Ole Miss 49: Chloe Jackson scored 22 points with a career-high 14 rebounds for her second career double-double, and Ayana Mitchell added 14 points with seven rebounds for the Tigers (20-10). LSU trailed throughout the
first half but used a 23-6 run in the third quarter to take a 52-38 lead into the final period. Taylor Manuel led Ole Miss (17-13) with 19 points.
› Texas A&M 67, Florida 48: Khaalia Hillsman shot 10-for-13 from the field on her way to a 24-point, 11-rebound performance, and Danni Williams added 17 points as they paced the Aggies (20-10), who trailed 21-18 at halftime before using a 9-0 run to take control in the third quarter. Florida (1516) was led by Ronni Williams’ 18 points.