Lady Vols Struggle Late, Fall to Louisville in Brooklyn
Tennessee’s trip to Brooklyn didn’t end the way they hoped. After a promising first half, the Lady Vols couldn’t keep pace down the stretch, getting outscored 48-29 in the second half and ultimately falling to Louisville, 89-65, in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic.
Zee Spearman was a bright spot for Tennessee, notching her first double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Her energy on both ends was evident, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a dominant Louisville performance on the glass.
The rebounding margin told the story. Louisville pulled down a staggering 59 boards to Tennessee’s 37 - the most rebounds a Kim Caldwell-coached Tennessee team has ever allowed, and it tied the all-time program record for most boards surrendered in a single game. That kind of disparity on the glass is tough to overcome, especially against a ranked opponent.
Offensively, Tennessee couldn’t find its rhythm. This marked the fourth time this season the Lady Vols have been held under 75 points - a number they dipped below just five times all of last year. It’s a trend that’s starting to raise eyebrows, particularly as the team continues to search for consistency against top-tier competition.
With the loss, Tennessee drops to 0-3 against ranked opponents this season. The Lady Vols will look to regroup quickly as they return home to face Southern Indiana on Monday.