In a thrilling showdown in Norman, Oklahoma, Talaysia Cooper and freshman sensation Jaida Civil lit up the scoreboard with 22 and 21 points, respectively. However, their efforts weren't enough to stop No. 11 Oklahoma from pulling away late, handing the Lady Vols a tough 100-93 defeat.
Tennessee faced a significant challenge without Forward Janiah Barker, who missed the game due to not meeting program expectations. Despite this, the Lady Vols showed resilience, trailing by just two points at halftime, even taking the lead midway through the third quarter, and staying within striking distance late in the fourth.
Oklahoma's ability to capitalize on free throws was a game-changer, as they made 36 of 46 attempts from the line. This efficiency helped the Sooners outscore Tennessee 24-19 in the pivotal third quarter and withstand a late rally from the Vols.
This loss marks the fourth consecutive defeat for Tennessee, who started their SEC campaign with a 6-0 record but have now dropped seven of their last nine games-a first in the program's history for such a stretch.
Next up, the Lady Vols will look to bounce back when they travel to face LSU on Thursday at 6:00 ET. The matchup will be crucial as they aim to regain their early-season form and turn their fortunes around.