AUSTIN, Texas – Middle Tennessee put a scare into No. 13 Tennessee in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament but a strong third-quarter push by the Lady Vols carried them to an 87-62 win here Sunday.
The teams were knotted 39-39 at the half and the Lady Raiders (17-8) had visions of becoming the first No. 14 seed to upset a No. 3 in tournament history, however, Tennessee (17-7) had different plans coming out of intermission.
The Lady Vols used a 23-10 third-quarter run to carry them to victory.
Middle Tennessee was 0-of-4 with two turnovers on its first six possessions of the third quarter, while Tennessee was 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line on its first six possessions to turn the tide.