Cooper guides Tennessee past Ohio State to Sweet 16

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Tennessee Lady Volunteers have advanced once more in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, returning to familiar ground. Talaysia Cooper led the charge with an impressive stat line, contributing 19 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, and five assists. Zee Spearman supported the effort with 17 points and five rebounds, as Tennessee, seeded fifth, overpowered fourth-seed Ohio State with a final score of 82-67 on Sunday evening.

    Ruby Whitehorn and Samara Spencer also delivered crucial contributions for Tennessee, posting 14 and 10 points, respectively. The Lady Vols’ aggressive defense forced 23 turnovers, propelling them into the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years. First-year head coach Kim Caldwell praised the team’s intensity. “I thought we played really hard, probably the hardest we’ve played all year, which is what we needed,” she said. Despite the challenging atmosphere fueled by passionate Ohio State supporters, Tennessee kept their focus and maintained strong teamwork throughout the game.

    The Lady Vols are now set to face either top seed Texas or eighth seed Illinois in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday. Reflecting on the journey thus far, Caldwell expressed her pride in the team’s achievements. “This was something we talked about from the very beginning, that we wanted to make it to the Sweet 16,” she shared, acknowledging the players’ excitement and dedication.

    For Ohio State, Jaloni Cambridge managed to score 19 points alongside five rebounds, and Cotie McMahon notched 17 points, also with five rebounds. Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff commented on the game, recognizing that while Ohio State showed growth, they struggled to capitalize against Tennessee’s relentless play. The game featured a back-and-forth battle in the second half. Tennessee surged with a 14-point streak, pulling ahead 54-37, followed by an Ohio State rally that momentarily claimed a 57-56 lead.

    Tennessee, however, was not to be outdone and responded with a decisive 15-4 run to secure the victory. Cooper energized the counterattack with a crucial 3-pointer and a layup after a steal. Whitehorn further extended the lead, converting a rebound and hitting a 3-pointer. With these efforts, the Lady Vols established a firm 71-61 advantage with 7:18 remaining on the clock. Jewel Spear voiced the team’s resilience, emphasizing their ability to stay calm amid the game’s intensity.

    The statistics from the game underscore Tennessee’s defensive prowess. The Lady Vols converted Ohio State’s 23 turnovers into 37 points. Cooper’s performance was highlighted by her seven steals, contributing to the team’s 15 in total. Additionally, Tennessee demonstrated mastery in securing second-chance points, outscoring Ohio State 21-6 in that category. Head coach McGuff acknowledged the decisive impact of turnovers and second-chance points in the game, conceding that those factors played a crucial role in the game’s outcome.

    Tennessee remains a pillar of the women’s college basketball landscape, having participated in every NCAA Tournament since the event’s start in 1982, and the current achievement marks their 37th appearance in the Sweet 16. Guard Jewel Spear reflected on the foundation established by Coach Caldwell and praised how this season’s journey has highlighted the evolving culture within the team. Meanwhile, Ohio State grapples with disappointment, marking the second consecutive year that the team has fallen short of progressing past the second round of the tournament.