By Patrick Clay, Sports Showtime web assistant / reporter
The Lady Tigers upset No. 24-ranked Vanderbilt on Senior Night Thursday, edging out the Lady Commodores 69-66 for their 6th straight conference victory.
“I think our emotions coming into Senior Night definitely helped bring our momentum into the first half,” said senior forward Taylor Turnbow.
The Tigers (20-8, 10-5 SEC) managed to win the game at the line, going 26-33 from the line while Vanderbilt (20-8, 8-7 SEC) only made 12 of 17 attempts.
LaSondra Barrett earned a double-double in 34 minutes, scoring 20 points on 4-9 shooting (12-15 from the line) and grabbing 12 rebounds. Courtney Jones and Adrienne Webb also contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Barrett moved into 3rd all-time in career free throws made tonight with 455.
In honor of Senior Night, Coach Nikki Caldwell started all five Lady Tiger seniors, including injured guard Destini Hughes. With the support of Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb, Caldwell arranged a play to allow Hughes to appear on the court in front of her loved ones. Hughes received the opening tip-off, hoisted the ball in the air to a standing ovation, and then handed the ball to the referee for the turnover.
“I can’t say how much it meant for Coach Balcomb to agree to that,” said Caldwell. “That’s something Destini will take with her for the rest of her life. It was a very, very special moment.”
Despite the win, the Lady Tigers remain tied for 3rd in the SEC with Arkansas (21-6, 10-5 SEC) and Georgia (21-7, 10-5 SEC).
The Lady Tigers finish the season at Georgia on Sunday, February 26th at 4 p.m. CST.
Contact Patrick at [email protected]
