LSU Defeats Tennessee, Ties for Top in SEC

The No. 6 LSU women's basketball team secured an 82-77 victory over No. 19 Tennessee, marking their second win against the Volunteers this season and moving them to a 25-1 overall record. Reserve player Kailyn Gilbert was instrumental in the win, scoring 23 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds, while Mikaylah Williams added 16 points and seven assists. Despite a strong performance from Tennessee's Ruby Whitehorn and Jewel Spear, who scored 21 and 19 points respectively, the Lady Vols struggled with a late-game scoring drought. This victory places LSU in a three-way tie for first in the SEC alongside Texas and South Carolina. The game highlighted LSU's ability to perform under pressure, even when key players were in foul trouble, and showcased the strategic adaptation under Coach Kim Mulkey. Tennessee's Coach Kim Caldwell, in her first season, has shown the team's potential to compete strongly against top-ranked teams, promising improvements in future games.