After winning three on the road the second ranked Tennessee Lady Vols couldn’t pull off the win at home over the fifth ranked Texas Longhorns as they were defeated 70-60. This was the third consecutive time the Lady Vols have lost to the Texas.
Texas coach Jody Conradt tied Tennessee’s Pat Summitt for the most career victories in women’s basketball with 828 career wins. Each now place fourth among Division I coaches (men’s or women’s) in all time victories. The top three are Dean Smith with 879 wins, Adolph Rupp with 876 and Jim Phelan of Mount Mary’s with 830.
In the first half the Lady Vols and Longhorns took turns scoring with Texas in the lead by only one point at 26-27 with 3:20 left in the first half.
Ashley Robinson took the chance to tie it up or gain the lead with two free throws with 2:24 left in the first half but missed. Robinson then came back and took the lead with a bucket bringing the score to 28-27 Tennessee.
Texas shot a three pointer to tie the game with one minute left in the half to 30-30. Texas then pulled ahead before the bell. They kept the momentum going with a 36-30 lead before the Vols Tasha Butts stopped the Texas run with two points followed by another two points to close the lead to 34-36.
The game stayed close before Texas pulled ahead with a 43-39 lead. The Vols Shanna Zolman then took a three pointer with Shrya Ely pulling two followed by Texas going for the rebounds, which made the difference in the finish of the game.
The Vols were never able to regain the lead allowing Texas to walk away with a win of 70-60.
“I watched the game from last year on tape last night, and there were many similar plays today. Obviously, I’m disappointed. I was not pleased with how we performed. There were a lot of panic plays,” stated Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt. “Texas did an excellent job of guarding personnel.”
Summitt also stated, “I can’t remember the last time we were so far behind in rebounds.” Texas ended the game with 41 rebounds against the Lady Vols 27. But Texas had their flaws with 23 turnovers in the game.
Ashley Robinson led the Lady Vols with 15 points while her sister, freshman Katrina Robinson with Texas, didn’t make it on the floor. Tasha Butts landed 11 points followed by Zolman’s six points.
The Lady Vols suffered their first home loss since a 69-66 loss to Texas on Feb. 12, 2002, a span of 24 games.
“It was a disappointing loss for us but we can learn from a quality team,” stated Summitt.
The Lady Vols play Tuesday against George Washington in Washington D.C.

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