Lady Vols Snap Skid with Gritty OT Win at Georgia: Three Key Takeaways
The Lady Vols walked into Athens needing a win like oxygen. After back-to-back losses - including a rough home showing against Mississippi State and a humbling trip to UConn - Tennessee was staring down a dangerous Georgia squad with plenty to play for. It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but the Lady Vols gutted out an 82-77 overtime victory that might prove pivotal down the stretch.
Here’s a deeper dive into what mattered most from Tennessee’s bounce-back win.
1. A Win That Carries Weight
Let’s be clear: this was more than just a win - it was a lifeline. Tennessee had dropped two straight and was in desperate need of something to stop the bleeding.
And while Georgia might not have a number next to their name, they’re no pushover. The Bulldogs are right in the thick of the NCAA Tournament conversation and were on the cusp of cracking the AP Top 25 this week.
Add in the SEC road factor - never an easy environment - and this becomes a résumé-builder for a Lady Vols team trying to reestablish momentum. Looking ahead, Tennessee has a couple of games (Missouri and Texas A&M at home) that lean in their favor, but the rest of the schedule is a minefield. That makes this win in Athens not just helpful - but necessary.
2. The Three-Headed Attack Shows Up
Consistency has been the name of the game - or the lack thereof - for this Tennessee team. But on this night, their top trio showed up in a big way.
Talaysia Cooper looked every bit the star she’s flashed at times this season. She was efficient and impactful, dropping 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep.
But it wasn’t just the scoring - Cooper filled the stat sheet with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. It was one of those games where her fingerprints were all over the floor.
Zee Spearman took over down the stretch and led the Lady Vols in scoring with 23 points. She went 7-for-15 from the field and added three boards, three assists, and a steal. Her ability to create offense late was critical in keeping Tennessee afloat when things got tight.
And then there was Mia Pauldo, the freshman point guard who found her rhythm again. Pauldo poured in 21 points and was nearly automatic from the line, going 9-for-10 on free throws. She also chipped in four rebounds and three assists, showing poise beyond her years in a high-pressure road environment.
Janiah Barker didn’t have a big scoring night - just nine points - but she dominated the glass with 13 rebounds. Her work on the boards helped Tennessee stay competitive in second-chance opportunities and was a key piece in the win.
3. Overtime Never Should Have Happened
As important as the win was, Tennessee made things harder than they had to be.
With 8.5 seconds left in regulation, the Lady Vols had a three-point lead and were in control. But a critical mistake - a foul on Georgia’s Dani Carnegie as she launched a desperation three - gave the Bulldogs new life. Carnegie calmly sank all three free throws to tie it up at 68.
Tennessee had a final possession with five seconds left, but settled for a deep, contested heave from Cooper that didn’t fall.
To their credit, the Lady Vols regrouped in overtime and closed the door. But that foul - committed by freshman Deniya Prawl - could’ve been a backbreaker.
Chalk it up to a learning moment for the young guard, one that fortunately didn’t cost her team the game. Still, in tight SEC battles, those are the little plays that can swing a season.
What’s Next
The win stops the slide, but the road doesn’t get any easier. Tennessee heads to Columbia this weekend for a date with **No.
3 South Carolina** - a team that’s been steamrolling opponents all season. Tip-off is set for **3 p.m.
ET on Sunday**, airing nationally on ABC.
Then it’s back home to face Missouri, led by former Lady Vol Kellie Harper, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET (SECN+). That one carries its own emotional weight, but the focus now is simple: build off this win and keep climbing.
The Lady Vols showed fight in Athens. Now it’s time to see if they can turn that grit into a run.