Thursday Night Hoops: Final push to post season!
- zyaoimediahi
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
As college basketball season heads into conference and championship, both men’s and women’s teams from the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University delivered thrilling performances on February 26, showcasing the resilience and competitive spirit of our home teams.
University of Tennessee: Lady Vols Face Tough Loss Against LSU
In Baton Rouge, the Lady Vols faced a challenging matchup against No. 6 LSU, ultimately falling 89-73. Despite a valiant effort from freshman guard Jaida Civil, who scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, the Lady Vols struggled to maintain their early leads. This defeat leaves Tennessee with a record of 16-11 overall and 8-7 in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play.
Tennessee began the game strong, out-rebounding LSU in the first half, but the Tigers struck back in the second half, leveraging a 36-18 advantage in the paint. Civil’s performance marked her fifth time in double figures this season, alongside contributions from senior Nya Robertson and redshirt junior Talaysia Cooper who added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Next up for the Lady Vols is a crucial Senior Day matchup against Vanderbilt, which promises to be an exciting conclusion to their regular season.
Vanderbilt University: Commodores Break Records in Victory Over Alabama
Meanwhile, the No. 5 Commodores secured an impressive 85-60 victory over No. 24 Alabama, marking a historic day for the program. With this win, Vanderbilt set a new record for the most SEC victories in a single season with 12 and completed an undefeated regular-season slate at home.
Sophomore sensation Mikayla Blakes continued her dazzling form, scoring 35 points against Alabama. Blakes has now recorded five consecutive 30-point games against ranked teams, making her one of the standout players in NCAA basketball this season. In addition, graduate student Sacha Washington came close to a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Head Coach Shea Ralph expressed her pride in the team’s performance, highlighting the special atmosphere created by Commodore Nation and their contributions to making history.
Tennessee State University: Lady Tigers and Tigers Split Outcomes
On the women’s side, the Tennessee State Lady Tigers fell to Southeast Missouri State with a score of 89-52. Despite the loss, Erin Martin shone with 18 points and seven rebounds, continuing to be a crucial player for the team. TsU’s strong defensive effort yielded 28 turnovers from SEMO, hinting at their potential as the season concludes.
Conversely, the Tennessee State men's team triumphed over SEMO, winning 79-71. Antoine Lorick III led the Tigers with 22 points, while Dante Harris contributed 20. The Tigers showcased a strong second-half performance, shooting a blistering 85.7% from the free-throw line and out-rebounding SEMO 36-27. This victory improves Tennessee State's record to 20-9 overall and 14-5 in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play.
Middle Tennessee State University: Blue Raiders Battle Hard
In Lynchburg, Middle Tennessee's women faced Liberty and suffered a 65-37 defeat. Alayna Contreras led the team with 18 points but struggled to keep pace with the Flames, who dominated the second half. Coach Nick McDevitt acknowledged the team’s need for improved shooting as they look to finish the season strong against Delaware on February 28.
The men's team, however, found success against UTEP, winning 77-67. Middle Tennessee showcased their rebounding prowess, particularly from Torey Alston, who recorded a double-double, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds. Following a late surge from UTEP, the Blue Raiders managed to hold their lead thanks to strong performances from Kamari Lands, who scored 22 points.
Austin Peay State University: Governor’s Final Push
Austin Peay’s women’s team fell short against Eastern Kentucky, losing 67-54. Anovia Sheals led the charge with 20 points but couldn't prevent the Colonels' late-game surge. The Governors will face Lipscomb on Friday, looking to improve their standing ahead of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
Looking Ahead
As the regular season draws to a close, the anticipation builds for the SEC Tournament and other conference competitions. All teams in the hunt hope their teams are up for the challenges ahead. The upcoming games promise to be as thrilling and competitive as ever, with the Lady Vols and Commodores showdown expected to become a highlight.
These results showcase just how vibrant and competitive the basketball scene is in Nashville, putting the spotlight on the players’ hard work and dedication as they aim for postseason success.
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