Lily Helton
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- It’s no secret that the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and Belmont Bruins have a history in women’s basketball. Today, the Lady Vols tied the all-time series with a 68-58 victory.
It was touch-and-go all night for the Lady Vols, and the stats prove it. Belmont’s field goal, three-point, and free throw percentages were all higher than Tennessee’s. But the Lady Vols made more rebounds, blocks, and steals. On paper, this game was a complete toss-up.
In the first quarter, senior Zee Spearman started hot, scoring five of the team’s first seven points. Janiah Barker was active as well, shooting from three and making layups in the paint.
“It’s gonna come in chunks,” said head coach Kim Caldwell.
Into the second and third, the Lady Vols’ production slowed, and the Bruins’ production quickened. In the second quarter, the Bruins found the basket three times before the Lady Vols scored. Belmont turned up the heat in the third, making three pointers and scoring consistently in the paint. At the end of the third quarter, the Lady Vols were trailing 49-46.
“Honestly, I feel like fatigue kicked in a little,” said freshman Mia Pauldo.
What really won the Lady Vols this game was their ability to produce offensively down the stretch, in large part due to Talaysia Cooper lighting up the floor.
Cooper played tenaciously all night, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists. At the end of the game, she started to create turnovers and was the spark of energy the team needed to win.
“I think she’s that, that spark player for us… she doesn’t do anything for herself,” said Caldwell.
The Lady Vols finally get a break in games after a strenuous in-state stretch, and take the court on Nov. 20th at MTSU.