The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
3-1,0-0Big 12
Tennessee
4-0,0-0SEC
No. 12/21 Women’s Basketball falls to No. 16/12 Tennessee in overtime, 74-70
11.21.2021 | Women's Basketball
Aliyah Matharu drops a career-high 27 points.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Another ranked opponent, another exciting down-to-the-wire battle for the Texas women's basketball team.
This time, the Longhorns came up just short in that battle as they fell to No.12/21-ranked Tennessee in overtime, 74-70, inside the Lady Volunteers' Thompson-Boling Arena.
With the loss, UT slips to 3-1 on the season. Tennessee moves to 4-0.
As anticipated, the game featured some stingy defense, specifically in the first half, as both teams were held under 30 points. Tennessee led 29-28 at the break.
The Longhorns found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter as they opened the half on a 14-4 run and led by as many as 12 points at the 4:21 mark of the third.
The Lady Vols stormed back in the fourth quarter outscoring Texas, 20-10, to push the game to overtime where they sealed the comeback win.
Junior guard Aliyah Matharu continued her torrid offensive pace to start the season as she led the team with a career-best 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting including a 5-of-11 mark from behind the arc .
Freshman Rori Harmon notched her first-career double-double finishing with 10 points and a season-high 11 assists. Joanne Allen-Taylor added 11 points and Lauren Ebo brought down a team-best eight rebounds.
UT shot just 31.3 percent (26-of-83) from the floor and 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from distance. Texas won the turnover battle, 24-14, but Tennessee own a 56-41 advantage on the glass.
The Lady Vols were led offensively by Jordan Horston who recorded 28 points. Tamari Key posted a triple-double with 10 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Texas returns to action next Saturday (1 p.m. CT) as they play host Cal State-Northridge at the Frank Erwin Center. The game will be televised nationally by Longhorn Network.
