Michael Allen 
SEO Meta Description: Tennessee outlasts Georgia 82–77 in overtime behind Zee Spearman and Mia Pauldo to stay tied for first in the SEC.
The Tennessee Lady Vols went into Athens on Thursday night and walked out with a hard-fought 82–77 overtime win over Georgia, leaning on big performances from Zee Spearman and Mia Pauldo.
From the opening tip, the game was a grind. Neither team led by more than four points early, and Tennessee held a slim 15–14 edge after the first quarter. Georgia found an early rhythm in the second quarter, opening with a quick five points while Tennessee went cold until the 6:33 mark. The Bulldogs stretched their advantage to seven before the Lady Vols answered late. Pauldo drilled a three-pointer as time expired in the half to give Tennessee a narrow lead heading into the break.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued after halftime. Tennessee built a lead of as many as seven in the third quarter, but Georgia trimmed the deficit to 49–45 by the end of the period. The fourth quarter followed the same script, with Tennessee clinging to a small lead down the stretch. With eight seconds remaining and the Lady Vols up 68–65, Georgia’s Dani Carnegie was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly knocked down all three free throws to force overtime.
Tennessee responded with urgency in the extra period, scoring five quick points and never looking back. Pauldo and Spearman took control, accounting for all 14 of the Lady Vols’ overtime points. The duo was automatic at the line, combining to go 10-for-10 in overtime to seal the victory and secure Tennessee’s seventh conference win of the season.
Spearman led all scorers with 23 points, while Pauldo added 21. Talaysia Cooper chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds, and Janiah Barker narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 13 boards.
With the win, Tennessee remains tied for first place in conference play with South Carolina. The two teams will square off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, with sole possession of first place on the line.
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