In a tightly contested SEC showdown that lived up to the billing, No. 4 Texas edged out No.
22 Tennessee, 65-63, in a thriller at Food City Center on Sunday. The Longhorns walked away with a statement road win, while the Lady Vols were left to regroup after dropping just their second home game of the season.
This one was neck-and-neck from the start. The teams were deadlocked at 34 apiece heading into halftime, and the intensity never let up. Every possession felt like it could swing the momentum, and in the end, it was Texas who made just enough plays to escape Knoxville with a win.
For Tennessee, Talaysia Cooper was sensational. She poured in a game-high 29 points, doing it with remarkable efficiency-hitting 12-of-19 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Cooper was relentless, attacking the rim, pulling up with confidence, and keeping the Lady Vols in the game when the offense hit rough patches. She added two assists, two steals, and a rebound in a performance that showed just how dynamic she can be.
Cooper wasn’t alone, though. Janiah Barker chipped in 12 points, along with two rebounds and a block, while Nya Roberts added 11 points, one board, and an assist.
But despite getting three players in double figures, Tennessee struggled to take care of the basketball. The Lady Vols committed 23 turnovers-a number that proved costly against a team as disciplined and opportunistic as Texas.
Rebounding was evenly matched, with both teams pulling down 31 boards. That stat reflects just how balanced and physical this game was on both ends. But where Texas separated itself was in execution down the stretch.
Madison Booker led the Longhorns with 14 points, showing poise in key moments and helping steady the offense when the game tightened. Jordan Lee and Roni Harmon each added 12 points, giving Texas the scoring depth it needed to keep pace with Cooper’s outburst on the other side.
This win keeps Texas humming along in SEC play, now sitting at 24-3 overall and 9-3 in conference. They showed composure in a tough road environment and found just enough offense to get it done. For Tennessee, now 16-7 (8-3 SEC), it’s a tough loss, but one that offers plenty to build on-especially with Cooper playing at such a high level.
Games like this are why SEC basketball is such a grind. Every matchup is a battle, and Sunday’s clash in Knoxville was no exception.