« Older: APSU Softball Lady Govs drop double header at Morehead State Newer: APSU Baseball Govs rally in the seventh for 10-4 win over Murray State Racers » March 25, 2016 | UT Athletics Department Sioux Falls, SD – Behind a career night from Mercedes Russell, Tennessee will play for a spot in the Final Four after defeating Ohio State, 78-62, in the Sweet 16 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Friday night. In the midst of their best stretch of the season, the No. 7 seed Lady Vols (22-13) have won six of their last seven games to advance to the 28th Elite Eight in program history. Despite reaching the Sweet 16, Ohio State (26-8) finished the season losing four of its last seven. Russell’s dominance throughout the game led to her best performance donning the orange, scoring a career-high 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting. She also collected 15 rebounds, matching a career-best. Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Mercedes Russell (21) drives on Ohio State Buckeyes forward Shayla Cooper (32) in the second half of the semifinals of the Sioux Falls regional of the women’s NCAA Tournament at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Tennessee defeated Ohio State 78-62. (Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports) Te’a Cooper (16), Bashaara Graves (14) and Diamond DeShields (10) all scored in double figures for the Lady Vols, while Ameryst Alston led the Buckeyes in scoring with 21 points. Tennessee’s starting frontcourt of Graves and Russell combined for 39 points. Tennessee shot 50 percent from the field on 31-of-62 shooting and scored 50 paint points. Ohio State finished 22-of-67 (37 percent). The Lady Vols dominated the majority of the game, holding the lead for over 38 minutes and stretching the margin by as much as 22. Despite playing from behind for much of the game, Ohio State trimmed Tennessee’s lead to seven after a 5-0 run midway through the third quarter. …
Continue Reading: UT Lady Vols Basketball punches ticket to Elite Eight with 78-82 win against Ohio State
