KNOXVILLE – It wasn’t easy being Rae Burrell on Sunday afternoon … or Tennessee for that matter.
After a productive four-game stretch, Burrell made just two shots through the first three quarters against Vanderbilt. The Lady Vols sophomore guard whiffed on an easy layup attempt in the second quarter after soaring for an offensive rebound. A basket there and UT’s advantage would’ve grown to 16 points and the day might’ve played out in a more leisurely manner.
Instead, Tennessee had to fight to the end for a 67-63 SEC women’s basketball victory before a crowd of 9,636 at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols wouldn’t have prevailed, though, if Burrell hadn’t fought through her personal plight. She scored seven of her 12 points in the final 10 minutes.
I used to let it get to me and effect the rest of my game,” said Burrell of her early struggles. “That’s something I’ve been working on.”
In this case, the work included some unusual poise and dexterity. Burrell lost a basketball shoe while playing defense midway through the final quarter. She put it back on while hobbling up the court. She then finished the ensuing offensive possession with a difficult driving basket, which extended a tenuous three-point lead to 61-56.
“I just shoved my foot in there real quick,” Burrell said.
UT coach Kellie Harper watched Burrell’s handiwork and dreaded the possibility of a different scenario.
“I was praying we wouldn’t throwing her the ball as she was putting her shoe on,” Harper said. “We at least let her get her shoe on.”
Along with Burrell’s in-game makeover, freshman guard Jordan Horston committed just two turnovers, her lowest total since committing two in the first game against Vanderbilt on Jan. 30 in Nashville, and scored 16 points. Reserve center Kasi Kushkituah, meanwhile, put some extra pregame shooting to good use by hitting two clutch baskets down the stretch.
On the other hand, Tennessee (18-9, 8-6 SEC) shot just 35.5 percent from the floor (27 for 76). Rennia Davis needed 23 shots to score her team-high 18 points. The Lady Vols defense took a one-two punch from Vanderbilt guard Chelsie Hall and center Mariella Fasoula, who combined for 38 points.
And despite committing only 14 turnovers, UT’s final mistake gave Vanderbilt a shot at a tying basket after guard Jazmine Massengill’s inbounds pass hit the sideline with 19 seconds left
In the context of Tennessee’s five-game losing streak, these contrasting circumstances were anything but ideal.
“I think this team has had a pretty good mindset and a pretty positive outlook throughout this stretch,” Harper said. “But I think you also worry about at any moment the weight of those losses being too much to pull yourself through.
“We didn’t want a close game. I didn’t think a close game would be good for us. But obviously we were able to overcome.”
Charlie Crème, who projects the NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN, didn’t think the optics were good for Tennessee. During the game, he wrote on Twitter: “This was not the kind of performance that instills confidence in getting a bid. Win and the Lady Vols stay in, but they remain vulnerable without another good win at the SEC tournament.”
After the win, Harper said that she hasn’t talked about the NCAA tournament with her team. She will point her team toward Thursday’s home game against Ole Miss. For her, that choice - unlike Sunday’s game - is easy.