Tennessee Lady Vols take advantage of A'ja Wilson's absence, beat South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina's misfortune was Tennessee's opportunity Sunday and the Lady Vols grabbed it, nearly threw it away but ultimately held on.

With Gamecocks star A'ja Wilson sidelined with a sprained ankle, UT stepped on the gas and raced to an 86-70 SEC women's basketball victory before a crowd of 14,763 at Colonial Life Arena.

Jaime Nared led five double-figure scorers with 21 points for No. 6 Tennessee (16-1, 4-1 SEC), which scored 44 points from close range and shot 56.4 percent from the floor to cover for 18 turnovers.

No. 8 South Carolina (14-3, 3-2) benefited from six of those turnovers while whittling an 18-point second half deficit to four with 5 minutes, 45 seconds left. Despite a game-high 28 points from guard Tyasha Harris, the Gamecocks couldn't complete the comeback.

"They just kept pushing it at us," Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said. "We never really got a chance to come up for air. ... We couldn't keep up."

More:Tennessee Lady Vols must move on from loss to face South Carolina

To make matters worse, Wilson's replacement, sophomore Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, went down with leg injury in the fourth quarter and had to be helped off the court.

UT coach Holly Warlick said Wilson's injury didn't alter the game plan. The absence of the 6-foot-5 two-time SEC player of the year, though, did clear a big obstacle in implementing their strategy. Along with the inside scoring, the Lady Vols attempted 28 free throws and amassed a 41-28 rebounding advantage.

The victory was a timely for UT, which suffered a frustrating overtime loss at Texas A&M Thursday night and then endured a prolonged return home when their flight was diverted to Nashville. The team didn't get back to Knoxville until Friday.

More:Tennessee Lady Vols fall in overtime at Texas A&M, their first loss of the season

"How are you going to handle it?" Warlick wondered. "You not only got beat, you had the trip from hell getting back."

Picking up Westbrook

Warlick shared the postgame rostrum with Evina Westbrook. The freshman guard fouled Texas A&M's Danni Williams on a 3-point shot with 7.8 seconds left in overtime on Thursday. The ensuing three free throws erased UT's two-point lead. Westbrook then committed a turnover on Tennessee's final possession.

Warlick placed her hand on Westbrook's shoulder Sunday and said, "I'd go to war with you anytime."

Westbrook smiled and said "thank you."

"All of my teammates, every single one, had my back," Westbrook said after Thursday's result. "They could just tell I was down on myself. I'm harder on myself than anybody. They picked me up. That's what I need my team to do for me and I'm going to do the same for them."

After starting 0-for-3 from the floor and scoring no points in the first half, Westbrook finished with 14. She contributed three baskets and a block to Tennessee's finishing kick.

Hayes ignites offense  

Back at the beginning, Tennessee changed its lineup after the first timeout, inserting freshman Anastasia Hayes and going with three guards. The Lady Vols also altered their defensive strategy, utilizing pressure and traps. The result was a faster tempo and a 14-4 scoring run, giving them the lead for good.

Warlick said Hayes' impact was "huge" and added: "I thought when Annie came in, it separated us."

After a 3-for-10 shooting start, Tennessee shot 62.2 percent (28 for 45). 

With Hayes leading the charge, the Lady Vols got some scoring traction. The ripple effect extended from the rim to the 3-point line.

Kortney Dunbar struck the final blow of the first half. She went in to spell Nared for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds. Rather than just eat up some minutes, the reserve forward swished consecutive 3-pointers, sending the Lady Vols to the locker room with a 43-35 lead.

Up Next

Tennessee steps outside conference play for a game at No. 2 Notre Dame on Thursday.