By Brooklyn Harrell
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Four days after giving birth to her son, Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell was back on the sidelines, leading her Lady Vols against one of the toughest teams in the nation. Despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback, the No. 18 Lady Vols fell 70-63 to No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday night in front of a roaring crowd at Food City Center.
Tennessee (15-6, 3-5 SEC) came out swinging, opening with a 4-0 run fueled by jumpers from Talaysia Cooper and Ruby Whitehorn. The Lady Vols kept their foot on the gas, surging to a 14-5 lead behind a deep three-pointer from Samara Spencer. But South Carolina (21-1, 9-0 SEC) started to adjust.
The Gamecocks answered with an 8-0 run to close the first quarter, cutting Tennessee’s lead to just one point. By halftime, the Gamecocks had taken control, heading into the locker room up 35-26.
South Carolina dominated the third quarter, using a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 45-28. Led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards (18 points), South Carolina flexed its depth with five players scoring in double figures.
Staley acknowledged the challenges her team faced, saying, “Bad shots, bad decisions can be our nemesis at times — it was today. Fatigue was part of it, as well. Their pressure, it is a combination of things.”
Down 18 at the start of the fourth quarter, Tennessee refused to quit. Whitehorn ignited a spark with back-to-back layups, and a clutch three-pointer from Jewel Spear brought the Vols within six with just 14 seconds left.
Suddenly, the upset was in sight. But time wasn’t on Tennessee’s side. South Carolina held firm, sinking free throws in the final seconds to seal their 55th consecutive SEC regular-season win.
Though the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, the night’s biggest win belonged to Caldwell. Just four days after giving birth, she returned to coach her team, embodying the very spirit of Tennessee athletics. She is the epitome of “I will give my all for Tennessee today.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Caldwell said. “I love this team I ask alot from them, so I’m gonna give them everything I have.”
Her players took notice, too.
“We have to be willing to give everything we have for her because that’s what she does for us.” Spencer says.
Staley also praised Caldwell’s dedication, stating, “She is very passionate about her team and coaching at Tennessee and I think she has gotten off to a great start. She is a coach that really wants to hang another banner. It comes with a sacrifice. She has got great help. She wanted to be here with her team. Women have to make decisions like that, and when they do I feel like they should honor them and let them know that we see you, we feel you, and we hear you.”
The Lady Vols look to bounce back on February 2 when they take on Missouri. As for Caldwell? She’ll keep doing what she does best—leading her team with the same relentless determination that makes her one of the most respected coaches in college hoops.
South Carolina, meanwhile, continues their dominance, eyeing yet another SEC title.
But if there’s one thing Tennessee proved Tuesday night, it’s this: they’re not backing down from anyone.