Thursday, February 02, 2006

No. 5 Tennessee Routs Mississippi

OXFORD, Miss. - Sidney Spencer and Shanna Zolman each scored 18 points to help No. 5 Tennessee beat Mississippi 78-63 on Thursday night.

Alexis Hornbuckle added 14 points to help the Lady Vols (20-2, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) clinch their 30th straight 20-win season under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt.

This one was a struggle for a while. Ole Miss led by as many as eight after a 12-0 run in the first half, and led 28-26 at halftime. Jada Mincy's free throw with 11:28 to play gave the Rebels a 46-41 lead.

The Lady Vols countered with a 20-5 run keyed by two 3-pointers by Spencer during the following 4 1/2 minutes. Tennessee led 61-51 on Zolman's jumper with 6:59 left, and the Lady Vols were in control the rest of the way.

Tennessee's Tye'sha Fluker added 12 points.

The Lady Vols won their first 18 games, then lost consecutive games to No. 2 Duke and No. 21 Kentucky before beating Alabama convincingly earlier this week and then struggling in their 13th straight victory over the Rebels, a string which dates back almost exactly 10 years.

Ole Miss hasn't beaten Tennessee since the Rebels won 78-72 on Feb. 4, 1996.

Carla Bartee had 14 points, Danetra Forest added 13 and Armintie Price finished with 10 for the Rebels (12-9, 2-6), who have lost four of five and eight of their last 11.

Ole Miss has lost three straight against ranked opponents since early-season upsets of Texas Tech and Rutgers, and the Rebels on Sunday play at third-ranked LSU.

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