GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Shanna Zolman scored a career-high 28 points and Tennessee made 40 of 46 free throws to hold off Florida 91-82 in overtime Thursday night.
The fifth-ranked Lady Vols (17-3, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) extended their SEC regular-season winning streak to 41 games, but they needed every clutch basket from Zolman. She went 8-of-9 from the field and 9-of-10 from the foul line, including two free throws with 21.4 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 69.
Florida (12-9, 3-5), which had lost 11 straight to Tennessee by an average of 23.5 points, came within one shot of beating the Volunteers for only the second time in 35 meetings. Bernice Mosby scored a season-high 28 points for the Gators, but her leaner at the end of regulation bounced off the back of the rim.
Tennessee led all the way in overtime. Sidney Spencer converted a three-point play, including her only field goal of the game, to make the score 72-69, and Zolman followed with a 3-pointer to put the Lady Vols ahead 75-71.
Tennessee then sealed the win by making 12 of 14 free throws, matching its largest lead of the night with the final margin.
The Lady Vols and Gators combined for 80 free throws. Three players on each team fouled out.
Nicky Anosike added 12 points and Spencer had 11 for Tennessee, which won even though leading scorer Shyra Ely had only two points, zero rebounds and four turnovers.
Danielle Santos gave Florida a 69-67 lead on two free throws with 33.9 seconds left in regulation. Tamia Williams scored 14 for the Gators.
The first half was virtually even in every category, an indication of things to come. Both teams made 10 field goals and 11 free throws, with Tennessee hitting two more 3s to lead 34-32 at the break.
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