Lady Vols drop first game under Kim Caldwell, fall just short to Oklahoma
Lady Vols drop first game under Kim Caldwell, fall just short to Oklahoma
the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball team suffered their first loss of the season under head coach Kim Caldwell, narrowly falling to the University of Oklahoma Sooners 87-86 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee
Game Overview
The contest was a high-paced, back-and-forth affair that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams. Oklahoma entered the game with a 12-2 record, while Tennessee was undefeated at 13-0. The Sooners managed to edge out the Lady Vols with a final score of 87-86.
First Half
The game began with Tennessee establishing an early lead, jumping ahead 4-0 on a pair of transition layups by Talaysia Cooper. However, Oklahoma responded with a 7-0 run to take a 7-4 lead. The Sooners extended their lead to as much as 11 points, leading 28-17 with 1:17 remaining in the first quarter. Tennessee closed the gap to 28-22 by the end of the period, thanks to a three-pointer by Samara Spencer and a layup by Jewel Spear off a steal.
In the second quarter, Spear continued her strong performance, scoring early to help draw her team within three points, 34-31, with 6:12 remaining. Despite Tennessee’s efforts, Oklahoma maintained their lead, carrying a 46-39 advantage into halftime. The Sooners shot 57.6% from the field in the first half, compared to Tennessee’s 40%.
Second Half
Oklahoma came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Tennessee 29-20 and building a 19-point lead with 3:49 left in the frame. The Sooners’ Lexy Keys sparked a 17-3 run with back-to-back three-pointers, contributing to the team’s commanding lead.
Despite the significant deficit, Tennessee mounted a resilient comeback in the fourth quarter. The Lady Vols outscored Oklahoma 27-12, cutting the lead to just one point with 40 seconds remaining. Jewel Spear was instrumental in the rally, hitting three three-pointers in the final quarter to contribute 11 points to her team’s comeback.
Key Performances
Jewel Spear led all scorers with a season-high 28 points, connecting on 11 of 17 shots from the field, including 6-of-11 beyond the arc. She was four of four on field goals, nailing three treys in the fourth quarter to contribute 11 points to her team’s comeback.
Talaysia Cooper and Samara Spencer each scored 16 points for Tennessee. Cooper also recorded a career-high nine steals during the contest, tying for third place in program history for steals in a single game.
For Oklahoma, Payton Verhulst led with 16 points, including four three-pointers. Raegan Beers added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Reyna Scott and Liz Scott each contributed 11 points off the bench.
Statistical Highlights
Oklahoma shot 54.0% from the field, while Tennessee shot 45.7%. The Sooners outrebounded the Lady Vols 42-33, with a significant advantage on the offensive glass. Tennessee’s defense was aggressive, recording 19 steals compared to Oklahoma’s nine.
Coaching Impact
This game marked the first loss for Tennessee under head coach Kim Caldwell. Despite the setback, Caldwell’s high-octane offense and defensive strategies were evident throughout the game, particularly in the team’s fourth-quarter rally. The Lady Vols’ resilience and competitive spirit under her leadership remain a positive takeaway from the matchup.
Fan Support
The game was played in front of a season-best crowd of 11,321 fans at Thompson-Boling Arena, highlighting the strong support for the Lady Vols. The enthusiastic crowd played a significant role in energizing the team during their comeback attempt.
