Lady Vols basketball lost its first game of the season in a thriller of a top-15 matchup.
Tennessee clawed its way back into the game after falling behind by 19 points in the third quarter. But it couldn’t finish the job and fell 87-86 to No. 10 Oklahoma (13-2, 1-1 SEC) in its SEC home opener at Food City Center on Sunday. The game went down to the wire, but Sara Puckett missed her 3-pointer on the final shot.
The Lady Vols (13-1, 1-1) had ugly stretches and couldn’t slow down the Sooners on the boards, getting outrebounded 42-33.
Jewel Spear got Tennessee back in the game with a game-high 28 points on 6-for-11 shooting from 3-point range and added five rebounds. Spear was the hero down the stretch, hitting three 3-pointers in the final minute. Samara Spencer, Ruby Whitehorn and Talaysia Cooper all scored in double figures.
The Lady Vols struggled to shoot from 3-point range, going 10-for-36, and Oklahoma was able to hit from deep when it needed to. The Sooners went 8-for-26 from behind the arc.
Oklahoma thrived in transition when Tennessee couldn’t stop it with the full-court press. OU ended the game with 41 fast break points. The Lady Vols forced 31 turnovers and scored 30 points off them.
Watch Lady Vols basketball vs Oklahoma live on Fubo (free trial)
Lady Vols basketball vs Oklahoma score updates
What time does Lady Vols basketball vs Oklahoma play today?
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
What channel is Lady Vols basketball vs Oklahoma on today?
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Lady Vols vs Oklahoma live stream options
Lady Vols vs. Oklahoma tips off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday and will be broadcast on ESPN. The game also can be streamed on Fubo and the ESPN app.
Lady Vols vs Oklahoma predictions
Tennessee 98, Oklahoma 90: I don’t know if the Lady Vols’ defense is in a place where they can keep this matchup from turning into a shootout. But after a disappointing second half Thursday vs Texas A&M, Tennessee is going to be extremely motivated to have a better showing at home, and I think its full-court press will be able to slow down the Sooners enough for another win.
Lady Vols vs Oklahoma injury updates
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Tennessee Lady Vols basketball schedule 2024-2025
Lady Vols basketball’s next five games:
- LSU: 6:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 9 (SEC Network+)
- at Arkansas: 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 12 (SEC Network)
- Mississippi State: 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 16 (SEC Network)
- at Vanderbilt: 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 19 (SEC Network+)
- at Texas: 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 23 (SEC Network)
Lady Vols basketball news
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
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