University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
15-8, 6-4
Georgia
12-11, 4-6
Lady Vols Fall in Double Overtime, 81-78
February 05, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 5, 2017
Highlights | Warlick Presser | Player Presser | Box Score
ATHENS, Ga. -- Despite a season-high 34 points from Diamond DeShields, #RV/25 Tennessee fell short in double overtime against Georgia, 81-78, at Stegeman Coliseum on Sunday.
The Lady Vols (15-8, 6-4 SEC) had two solid looks at the basket in the final seconds of the game, but a three-pointer from Jordan Reynolds rimmed out as time expired.
DeShields' 34 points marked the fifth time in her career she had eclipsed the 30-point margin. She added six rebounds and four steals on the night. Mercedes Russell posted a double-double with 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Robinson led the Lady Bulldogs (12-11, 4-6 SEC) with 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. Mackenzie Engram finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
UT struggled to put the ball in the basket to begin the game, converting only 23 percent (3-13) of its field goals. DeShields had six points, as Tennessee trailed, 16-8, at the end of the first.
The Lady Vols erased the early deficit with an 8-2 run during the second stanza, but a late push by the Lady Bulldogs gave Georgia a 27-24 lead going into intermission.
UT fought back to take a 44-42 lead at the end of the third, shooting 50 percent from the field. Russell eclipsed the double-double margin in the quarter behind six points and six rebounds.
Tennessee held the lead for most of the fourth quarter but couldn't pull away. With two seconds remaining, UGA's Haley Clark drove to the paint and hit a layup to tie the game at 59-all, forcing the first overtime game for UT this season.
Tennessee heads back to Knoxville for back-to-back home contests, hosting Missouri first on Thursday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and will be available online through WatchESPN.
Career Night
- Of Tennessee's 78 points, 58 of that came between the duo of Diamond DeShields and Mercedes Russell.
- DeShields posted a season-high 34 points, marking the fifth time in her career and third time as a Lady Vol she has posted at least 30 points.
- That total was the second-highest of her career, behind a 38-point effort vs. NC State in her freshman season at North Carolina.
- DeShields also made 14 fields goals, which is a career high for her.
- Russell pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds to go along with 24 points for her 13th double-double this season. That total ties her for fourth all-time among Lady Vol juniors with Daedra Charles.
Overtime History
- Tennessee fell to 30-19, including 13-10 on the road, in its 49th overtime game in school history
- UT fell to 1-3 vs. Georgia in overtime games, including 0-1 in Athens.
- The Lady Vols dropped their third straight overtime contest, suffering losses at Texas A&M and Mississippi State last season.
- This marked the third multiple overtime game in UT annals, with UT falling to 1-2 those games. This was the first one since the Big Orange beat Ole Miss, 90-83, in triple overtime at a neutral site on March 25, 1983.
