(5) Tennessee (14-3) vs. South Carolina (6-13)
Game Info: 7:00 pm EST Thu Jan 27, 2005
It's been almost three years since Tennessee has dropped a regular season Southeastern Conference game, and more than two decades since it has lost to South Carolina.
The fifth-ranked Lady Vols look to keep both winning streaks intact as they travel to the Colonial Center to face the struggling Gamecocks on Thursday.
Tennessee (13-3, 3-0 SEC), which hasn't lost a league contest since falling at Vanderbilt on Feb. 2, 2002, extended its regular season SEC win streak to 38 with a 67-49 victory over Kentucky on Sunday.
``We always talk about SEC play and put an emphasis on it when the time comes,'' Lady Vols coach Pat Summit said. ``You can talk about it, but they have demonstrated through their play and preparation that they really are focused on being successful. I have to credit this team and the leadership of the seniors.''
Two of those seniors, forward Shyra Ely and guard Brittany Jackson, lead the team statistically as well, averaging 13.3 and 9.5 points per contest, respectively. Ely also contributes a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.
The Lady Vols have won 33 of 35 all-time meetings with the Gamecocks, and 29 in a row since a 56-52 setback in Columbia on Jan. 23, 1980.
The Gamecocks are coming off a 61-49 loss to Arkansas on Sunday, and have dropped 11 consecutive SEC games dating to last season.
Sophomore guard Lauren Simms paces the South Carolina offense, averaging 13.0 points per game, but is the only starter averaging double figures for the Gamecocks.
Tennessee has beaten South Carolina by an average of 33.3 points during the 29-game win streak, but Summitt refuses to take any opponent lightly.
``We realize that when we come to town, we bring out the best in everyone,'' she said. ``I expect it to be a very tough game. That is just the makeup of our league and the competitiveness no matter where you are, home and away. That team has some talent and concerns me.''
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