Down goes #2 in SEC showdown
It was a truly a tale of two halves for South Carolina and Tennessee. After an even first quarter, the Gamecocks got settled in and went to work on both ends, holding the Lady Vols to 9 second quarter points to take a 12 point half-time lead.
Everything went downhill after the break, unless you’re named Rennia Davis. The Vols’ senior wing dropped 11 in the third and then 13 more in the fourth, equaling South Carolina’s fourth quarter output. She finished with 24 points (yes, all in the second half), and 11 rebounds as Tennessee snapped the Gamecocks’ 31 game SEC winning streak.
Tennessee has plenty to celebrate as they get their first marquee win in a few seasons and bolster their tourney seed line, although I simply do not understand their unconventional celebrations.
CUIDADO AMIGOS pic.twitter.com/4iKjnRQyBF
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) February 19, 2021
Oh how the mighty keep falling
South Carolina was not the only conference powerhouse to lose last night. Out west, BYU took down #16 Gonzaga for the Bulldogs’ first regular season loss since February 8th, 2020. The Cougars built a 10 point lead late in the fourth just for Gonzaga to storm back and make it interesting, but Jenn Wirth could not hit a shot at the end to tie it, and BYU closed out with free throws for a 61-56 victory.
The win is massive for Jeff Judkins and his team, as most bracketology predictions did not have them in the tournament up until this point, and you have to think a win of this caliber will at least put them into the conversation. BYU had four players in double figures, Shaylee Gonzales leading the way with 16.
Big matchup in the Big 10
When the NCAA tournament committee released the top 16 teams last week, people were surprised at the omission of Michigan. The Wolverines had not beaten many high-profile teams yet this season, so last night’s contest against #14 Indiana (who did make the top 16 as a four seed), was the perfect opportunity to show the country they belonged.
The Hoosiers had other plans. Despite entering the fourth quarter down a point, Indiana allowed only 13 points and forced player of the year candidate Naz Hillmon to go cold. They hit enough free throws down the stretch to walk away with a comfortable 70-65 win that will be huge for the resume but also leapfrogs the Wolverines for the two spot in the Big 10 standings.
It will be tough for Michigan to secure a top 4 seed in the tournament without help or an impressive conference tournament showing, but they’ll first look to get revenge against Ohio State on Sunday.