Lady Vols Outlast Syracuse for 57-55 Win

Friday, November 20

Knoxville

7:00 PM

University of Tennessee

3-0

Syracuse

1-1

Syracuse

Tennessee

November 20, 2015 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Highlights |  UT Presser |  Final Stats |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In a closely contested game from start to finish, No. 4/5 Tennessee used another sparkling performance from Bashaara Graves to outlast No. 25/RV Syracuse, 57-55, in front of a crowd of 10,007 at Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday night.

Graves was 8-for-9 with a team-high 16 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds for her 23rd career double-double, tying her with South Carolina's Alaina Coates for the most double-doubles among active players in the SEC.

The senior forward's layup with 2:48 remaining turned out to be the game-winning basket as UT locked down the Orange defensively, holding them scoreless for the final 5:12 of the game.

The Lady Vols (3-0) also got double-digit scoring efforts from Mercedes Russell (13), Jasmine Jones (12) and Te'a Cooper (10) on the night. Cooper has now scored at least 10 points in all three games this season.

Tennessee dominated the paint, outscoring the Orange, 46-18, down low on the night. The frontcourt trio of Graves, Russell and Jones combined for 39 of the Lady Vols' 57 points.

"Everyone knew we wanted to get them the ball and we continued to do it. They got great looks," head coach Holly Warlick said in regards to the Tennessee bigs.

"We may not be hitting from the outside, but we are still getting the ball inside and getting good looks. Both of those two battled. They willed us to a win."

Alexis Peterson led three Syracuse players in double figures with a game-high 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

The Lady Vols continue their eight-game home streak on Monday, Nov. 23 when they welcome in-state foe Chattanooga to Thompson-Boling Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network +/WatchESPN. Fans can also listen live on the Lady Vol Network radio and online broadcast with Mickey Dearstone calling the action.

Beast Mode

Bashaara Graves started the game with eight straight makes after going 8-8 in the opener. Overall Graves made 17 straight shots, a streak that spanned 91 minutes and 57 seconds of game action dating back to last season's final game against Maryland.

Graves recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. It is the 23rd double-double of her career tying Elaina Coates of South Carolina for most among active SEC players. It is the ninth most double-doubles in UT history.