Tennessee returned to its winning wayson Thursdaynight with a 70-59 victory over Georgia. The Lady Vols (24-4 overall, 14-1) bounced back after their first conference loss of the season at #2 South Carolinaon Mondaywith a well-balanced performance at Stegeman Coliseum.
Senior Cierra Burdick posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. It was Burdick's second double-double in a row. Classmate Ariel Massengale scored 17 points and handed out five assists.
Georgia (17-11, 5-9) was led by MacKenzie Engram's 16 points and six rebounds.
The Lady Vols have now won 21 of their last 22 games vs. conference foes following the defeat at South Carolina.
Tennessee jumped out to a 39-27 lead at halftime, thanks to shooting 66.7 percent in the half. Burdick led all scorers with 12 first-half points as she knocked down 5-of-7.
Massengale knocked down a 3-pointer and a jumper to push the Lady Vols lead to 12 at intermission. That was the largest margin of the game until the final minute when Massengale made a pair of free throws with 55 seconds left. That put Tennessee up 70-57.
Georgia threatened Tennessee throughout the second half cutting their deficit to two possessions on several occasions. The closest the Lady Bulldogs came over the final 20 minutes was four points with five minutes left in the game at 58-54.
The Lady Vols led the rebounding battle, 35-29 led by Burdick's 10. UT shot 54.3 percent for the game, its best mark away from home this season, while limiting Georgia to 37 percent. Both teams made eight 3-pointers.
Tennessee swept the season series from the Lady Bulldogs, winning 59-51 in Knoxville onJan. 25. Tennessee has won the last eight games vs. Georgia and eight of the last nine in Athens.
All-time, Tennessee is 48-15 vs. Georgia.
The Lady Vols return to actionon Sundayfor Senior Night as Isabelle Harrison, Burdick and Massengale will be honored prior to the home finale vs. Vanderbilt at5 p.m.The game airs on SEC Network and can be heard on the Lady Vol Network.