Florida A&M Rattlers @ Tennessee Lady Volunteers
No. 11 Tennessee women ease by Florida A&M 93-64 behind 20-points apiece from Spear and Striplin
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- — Jewel Spear and Karoline Striplin each scored 20 points and No. 11 Tennessee opened its season with a 93-64 victory over Florida A&M on Tuesday night to spoil a homecoming for new Rattlers head coach Bridgette Gordon.
Spear made five 3-pointers and Striplin was 8-of-9 shooting, including three baskets in the final 4:13. Rickea Jackson added 13 points and Kaiya Wynn had 12 for Tennessee. Jillian Hollingshead grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to help the Lady Vols hold a 47-25 advantage on the glass.
Spear sank a wide open 3-pointer from the corner, off a nice drive and assist from Destinee Wells, just before the halftime buzzer to extend Tennessee’s lead to 47-30 at halftime. Spear was 5 of 9 from 3-point range in the first half and scored 16 points. Florida A&M committed 11 turnovers in the first half.
Ahriahna Grizzle scored 16 points, Hailee Brennen added 13 points and Ivet Subirats had 12 for Florida A&M.
Gordon starred at Tennessee from 1985-89, helping the Lady Vols claim their first two NCAA titles in 1987 and '89. Gordon ranks No. 2 all-time in career points (2,462) and No. 12 in rebounds (915) in program history.
Tennessee plays at No. 18 Florida State on Thursday.
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Game Information
Knoxville, TN

Referee:Denise Brooks
Referee:Kylie Galloway
Referee:Ify Seales

2025-26 Standings
| Southwestern Athletic ConferenceSouthwestern Athletic Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern | 4-1 | - | 8-8 |
| Alabama A&M | 4-1 | - | 8-9 |
| Alcorn State | 4-1 | - | 7-9 |
| Texas Southern | 4-2 | 0.5 | 8-10 |
| Florida A&M | 3-2 | 1 | 4-12 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3-3 | 1.5 | 6-10 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 3-3 | 1.5 | 4-13 |
| Alabama State | 2-3 | 2 | 5-11 |
| Grambling | 2-3 | 2 | 5-13 |
| Jackson State | 2-3 | 2 | 4-13 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 1-4 | 3 | 3-15 |
| Prairie View A&M | 0-6 | 4.5 | 2-15 |
| Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 5-0 | - | 19-0 |
| South Carolina | 5-0 | - | 19-1 |
| Tennessee | 5-0 | - | 13-3 |
| Texas | 4-2 | 1.5 | 19-2 |
| Kentucky | 4-2 | 1.5 | 17-3 |
| LSU | 3-2 | 2 | 17-2 |
| Ole Miss | 3-2 | 2 | 16-4 |
| Alabama | 3-3 | 2.5 | 17-3 |
| Georgia | 2-3 | 3 | 16-3 |
| Oklahoma | 2-3 | 3 | 14-4 |
| Auburn | 2-3 | 3 | 13-6 |
| Mississippi State | 2-4 | 3.5 | 15-5 |
| Texas A&M | 1-4 | 4 | 8-6 |
| Florida | 1-5 | 4.5 | 13-8 |
| Missouri | 1-5 | 4.5 | 13-8 |
| Arkansas | 0-5 | 5 | 11-9 |
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