Tennessee’s Sidney Spencer tied her career high with 21 points and Alexis Hornbuckle narrowly missed becoming the first Lady Vol to accomplish a triple-double in leading UT to an avenging 80-58 victory over Florida Thursday night in Gainesville in a Southeastern Conference showdown that UT was eagerly anticipating since last season’s stunning overtime loss to the Gators in Knoxville.
The fourth-ranked Lady Vols (15-1, 2-0 SEC) scored the first 25 points in winning their ninth straight game and not even Florida’s (6-10, 02 SEC) 17-0 run to close out the opening half would prevent UT from winning their ninth consecutive game.
Spencer, the 6’3” senior forward from Hoover, Ala., was five of seven from three point range which tied for the ninth best performance ever by a Lady Vol from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Hornbuckle, the 5’11” junior guard from Charleston, WV, almost became the first Lady Vol in the 33 year history of the program to have a triple-double.
Hornbuckle scored 10 points and assists and grabbed nine rebounds. She also extended her stealing streak to 52 games with four against UF.
Sophomore All-American and Player of the Year candidate Candace Parker finished with 14 points despite playing for just 19 minutes.
Despite the victory, the Lady Vols had their worst game of the season at the free throw line connecting on just 5 of 12 attempts for 41.7 percent.
Marshae Dotson led Gator scoring with 20 points followed by Depree Bowden’s 16.
The Lady Vols will travel to Athens on Sunday to battle 15th ranked Georgia in a 1 p.m. contest which will be televised on FSN (Fox Sports Network). UT has won the last four games against the Lady Bulldogs.
The win...
Improves the Lady Vols to 15-1 on the season, 2-0 in the SEC
Improves Pat Summitt's career record to 928-178 in 33 seasons at UT
Gives the Lady Vols a 35-2 lead in the series with the Gators
Gives Tennessee its ninth straight win this season
Notes...
Tennessee jumped out to a 25-0 lead before Florida scored with 12:20 left on the clock in the first half. It was the second longest opening drought by a UT opponent this season. Tennessee-Martin did not score until the clock read 11:44 and Tennessee had an 18-0 lead.
The 41.7 percent from the foul line was UT's worst mark this season.
Sidney Spencer...
Scored in double figures for the 12th time this season, the 39th time of her career.
Scored a career-high-tying 21 points
Made four of her first five three-point attempts... finished the game 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Her five treys tie a career high and tie for the ninth-most in a game by a Lady Vol.
Alexis Hornbuckle...
Extended her streak of games with a steal to 52
Earned season and SEC career highs in rebounds (9) and assists (10)
Moved into 20th place in the UT record books for career assists (290)
Moved past Mary Ostrowski and into 14th place in the UT record books for career steals (209)
Earned her first double-double in assists (10) and points (10)...
Other Lady Vols with double-doubles in points and assists:
Clower, Susan Jr. 10 10 N.C. State 2/21/81
Henry, Lea So. 14 10 Valdosta State 11/29/80
Hornbuckle, Alexis Jr. 10 10 Florida 1/11/07
Marciniak, Michelle Jr. 10 10 Florida A&M 3/16/95
Marsh, Dawn Sr. 11 11 Memphis State 1/27/88
McGhee, Carla Jr. 12 10 South Carolina 1/25/90
Warlick, Holly Sr. 10 10 Mississippi 2/10/80
Zolman, Shanna Sr. 22 10 Florida 2/26/06
Candace Parker...
Scored in double figures for the 30th straight game.
Cait McMahan...
Tied a career-high with seven points.
Alex Fuller...
Her eight rebounds matched her career-best.
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