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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M | 16-1 | - | 20-9 |
| Alcorn State | 14-3 | 2 | 17-11 |
| Southern | 12-5 | 4 | 16-12 |
| Alabama State | 12-5 | 4 | 15-13 |
| Jackson State | 10-7 | 6 | 12-17 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 9-8 | 7 | 12-15 |
| Grambling | 9-8 | 7 | 12-18 |
| Florida A&M | 6-11 | 10 | 7-21 |
| Texas Southern | 5-12 | 11 | 9-20 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 5-12 | 11 | 6-22 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 4-13 | 12 | 6-24 |
| Prairie View A&M | 0-17 | 16 | 2-26 |
| Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 15-1 | - | 29-2 |
| Texas | 13-3 | 2 | 28-3 |
| Vanderbilt | 13-3 | 2 | 27-3 |
| LSU | 12-4 | 3 | 26-4 |
| Oklahoma | 11-5 | 4 | 23-6 |
| Georgia | 8-8 | 7 | 22-8 |
| Kentucky | 8-8 | 7 | 21-9 |
| Ole Miss | 8-8 | 7 | 21-10 |
| Tennessee | 8-8 | 7 | 16-12 |
| Alabama | 7-9 | 8 | 21-9 |
| Texas A&M | 7-9 | 8 | 14-11 |
| Mississippi State | 5-11 | 10 | 18-12 |
| Florida | 5-11 | 10 | 17-14 |
| Missouri | 4-12 | 11 | 16-15 |
| Auburn | 3-13 | 12 | 14-16 |
| Arkansas | 1-15 | 14 | 12-19 |
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