Lady Vols Stumble Against Mississippi State, Suffer First SEC and Home Loss of the Season
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Lady Vols came into Wednesday night riding high-undefeated in SEC play, winners of seven straight, and unbeaten at home. But all of that momentum came to a screeching halt at the hands of Mississippi State, who handed Tennessee a 77-62 loss that felt as jarring as it was decisive.
This was Tennessee’s first game of the week after their scheduled matchup with No. 17 Ole Miss was postponed due to weather.
Whether it was rust or just a red-hot Bulldogs squad, the Lady Vols never found their rhythm. And Mississippi State?
They seized the moment, notching their first road win over a top-25 opponent since 2020.
Earlier this month, these two teams met in Starkville, with Tennessee walking away with a 90-80 win. But this rematch had a completely different tone. Mississippi State flipped the script and then some-especially on the defensive end and the glass.
The opening quarter was a tug-of-war, but the Bulldogs started to take control in the second. They closed the half on a strong note, building a 35-26 lead while Tennessee struggled to finish around the rim and left points at the free throw line. The Lady Vols couldn’t capitalize on their looks inside, and their 4-for-21 performance from beyond the arc didn’t help matters.
Mississippi State came out of halftime with even more fire, opening the third quarter on a 9-0 run that turned into an 11-3 surge. That stretch stretched the lead to 14 midway through the third, and from there, the Bulldogs never looked back. Tennessee couldn’t string together enough stops or buckets to mount a serious comeback.
Talaysia Cooper led the Lady Vols with 19 points, doing her best to keep Tennessee within striking distance. Mia Pauldo added 13 points and four steals, providing some spark on both ends, while Janiah Barker chipped in 10 points and six rebounds. But the supporting cast didn’t offer much else on a night when the Lady Vols needed all hands on deck.
The shooting woes were glaring-Tennessee finished just 32% from the field and 19% from three. But perhaps the most telling stat of the night?
A 50-31 rebounding deficit. Mississippi State dominated the boards, and Tennessee couldn’t generate any second-chance opportunities, finishing with zero points off offensive rebounds.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that typically prides itself on hustle and physicality.
Now, the Lady Vols have to regroup-and quickly. They head to Hartford on Sunday to face the top-ranked UConn Huskies, a team that doesn’t need extra motivation but will surely be looking for payback after last season’s loss.
For Tennessee, it’s a gut check moment. The SEC race is far from over, but this loss serves as a reminder: nothing comes easy in this league, and every night is a battle.
Coach Caldwell and her squad have a few days to clean things up before stepping into one of the toughest environments in women’s college basketball. If they want to bounce back, it starts with toughness in the paint, sharper execution on offense, and rediscovering the defensive edge that fueled their early SEC success.