Tennessee Lady Vols overcome 13-point deficit to beat Arkansas in OT: Three takeaways

Up by two late in regulation, the Tennessee Lady Vols fouled Amber Ramirez and saw her hit both free throws to send the game into overtime. In the same situation in overtime, they fouled Samara Spencer, but she missed both free throws. After Jordan Horston hit one of two, Ramirez missed a game-tying three-pointer, and UT beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 86-83.

Rocky Top, ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll and No. 7 in the Coaches Poll, overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter to sweep the Hogs on the year and rebound from their shocking loss at the Auburn Tigers last Thursday. Arkansas leading scorer Makayla Daniels left this game early in the second due to injury, but Ramirez picked up the slack with 29 points.

Harper’s team improves to 19-2 overall and 18-1 in SEC play with a trip to the Florida Gators set for Thursday. Mike Neighbors’ team sees a three-game winning streak coming to an end, falling to 14-7 and 4-4 in the SEC with a trip to the Texas A&M Aggies set for Thursday. Here are three things we learned from the Tennessee Lady Vols’ loss.

1. It was a complete performance..beginning midway through the third quarter.

Look at the stats, and UT played a complete game. The two superstar scorers stepped up, as Jordan Horston had 24 points and Rae Burrell had 21 points. Tamari Key was off from the field in regulation, but she finished the game with 14 points. Those three were the only ones to score in overtime, with Horston scoring the final three points after the game was tied.

Key’s points came from her going 8-of-9 at the free throw line. She added four blocks and nine rebounds, and the team shot 15-of-20 from the stripe. Sara Puckett hit two threes to stretch the floor, and Tess Darby hit one. Finally, UT had13 turnovers through three quarters, but they had just two in the fourth and one in overtime. That made the difference.

2. Second-chance points were crucial.

This is weird to say because Arkansas sent to game into overtime thanks to a foul called after they got an offensive rebound. However, outside of that play, the Tennessee Lady Vols dominated in second chance points. They had 25 on the night, while Arkansas just had six.

It helps that UT outrebounded the Hogs an incredible 60-40 with 21 offensive rebounds. Key had four offensive rebounds, and Burrell and Horston each had three. Horston and Puckett had 11 and 10 total rebounds respectively, so they both stepped up when it mattered as well.

3. Unforced turnovers and fouls almost proved costly.

The fouls at the end of overtime and regulation were huge mistakes by UT. Also, despite dramatic improvement late and in the game overall, turnovers are still a problem and have to be addressed. That one turnover that came in overtime almost proved costly.

At the time, the Tennessee Lady Vols had given up a three after being up by five. Sasha Goforth then intercepted a Jordan Walker pass and made a layup to tie it. Horston then broke it with a long-two that put UT up for good, but these type of mistakes just keep happening.