COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Isabelle Harrison tied her career best with 18 points and set career highs with 14 rebounds and seven blocks as No. 12 Tennessee rallied with a big second half to beat No. 18 South Carolina 73-53 in the Southeastern Conference opener Thursday night.
The Lady Volunteers (10-3) hadn’t lost their first SEC game since 1997, yet they trailed 35-32 after Tiffany Mitchell’s bucket early in the second half. That’s when Tennessee cranked things up and took control with a 35-7 run the next 13 minutes.
Ariel Massengale tied the game at 35-all with a 3-pointer before Harrison’s inside basket put the Lady Vols in front. Meighan Simmons’ layup gave Tennessee the lead for good, 41-40. Harrison put back Simmons’ miss on the next possession and the rout was on.
When Taber Spani connected on her second 3-pointer, Tennessee led 67-42.
Mitchell led the Gamecocks (12-2, 0-1) with 14 points.
