KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 20 Tennessee took on No. 16 Ohio State on Sunday night inside Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Rickea Jackson once again did not suit up for the Lady Vols. However, she was seen walking around with her boot off.
Ohio State remained in the lead for the entire first half with sophomore Cotie McMahon leading the Buckeyes with 8 points.
The Lady Vols struggled to find an offensive rhythm, only shooting 3-10 from beyond the arc and 9-28 from the field. Not to mention, turning the ball over 10 times compared to Ohio State’s 2 in the first half.
The Buckeyes led 43-28 to start the second half, and it was a big enough lead to keep Tennessee struggling.
With three minutes left in the third, Tennessee was down by 20 points, and from then on they couldn’t catch up. Ohio State was in control of the game.
The Lady Vols turned the ball over five more times just in the third and only put up a combined 13 points compared to Ohio State’s 23.
In the fourth quarter, Ohio State led again with 20 points with five minutes left on the clock, 72-52.
On a positive note, senior center Tamari Key played a season-high 16 minutes. Before that, she had only played seven minutes against Indiana. Key also scored a season-high 9 points in the matchup.
Destined Wells scored 11 points and Sara Puckett had 10 on the night. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes had four players with over 12 points, including McMahon who led with 19.
Tennessee lost by 20 points in the 78-58 matchup. This is the most the team has lost so far this season.
Next up the Lady Vols hit the round to Huntsville, Alabama to play Middle Tennessee on Dec. 6. That game starts at 7:30 p.m.
