OXFORD, Miss. — In an exciting Thursday night showdown, freshman Mia Pauldo delivered a remarkable performance, scoring a season-high 26 points, leading No. 20 Tennessee to a 90-80 victory over Mississippi State. The win marks Tennessee’s fourth consecutive victory and their sixth in the past seven games, bringing their record to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in the SEC. Historically, the Lady Vols have dominated the series against Mississippi State, boasting a 42-8 record since it began in 1986.
Pauldo excelled on the court, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and an impressive 8 of 9 from the free-throw line. Janiah Barker contributed significantly as well, adding 18 points to the scoreboard. Talaysia Cooper played a pivotal role too, with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Zee Spearman matched Cooper’s output with another 14 points.
Mississippi State, now 14-3 overall and 1-2 in SEC play, faced a downturn as their 10-game winning streak ended following a heavy loss to No. 8 Oklahoma. The Bulldogs fought hard, with Madison Francis and Kharyssa Richardson both scoring 22 points, with Francis also retrieving 13 rebounds—tying her career high. Destiney McPhaul added 14 points along with five assists and three steals.
The game saw notable momentum shifts, including Pauldo’s three-pointer that set Tennessee ahead for good with just over two minutes left in the first quarter. Spearman later extended the Lady Vols’ lead to 18 points during the third quarter. Despite a strong effort by Mississippi State to close the gap to just five points, Tennessee maintained their composure to secure the win.
Looking ahead, Tennessee is set to host Arkansas on Sunday, while Mississippi State will visit No. 18 Mississippi, as both teams aim to capitalize on their upcoming matchups to gain valuable ground in the SEC standings. With both teams showcasing resilience and talent, the intensity of the upcoming games promises exciting moments in women’s college basketball.