Lady Vols Basketball Outlast Lady Dawgs in Overtime

Tennessee edges Georgia in a close SEC matchup that went to extra time.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:15pm

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The Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team traveled to Athens, Georgia, on Thursday and came away with an 82-77 overtime victory against the 18-4 Georgia Lady Bulldogs. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than four points in the first quarter. Tennessee took a 33-31 lead at halftime after Mia Pauldo hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Lady Vols led by as many as seven in the third quarter, but Georgia battled back to tie the game at 68-68 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime. Tennessee took the lead early in OT and held on for the win, led by strong performances from Zee Spearman and Pauldo, who combined for 44 points.

Why it matters

This was an important SEC matchup between two of the top teams in the conference. Tennessee was looking to bounce back after consecutive losses, while Georgia was trying to rebound from a disappointing defeat against Alabama. The overtime victory keeps the Lady Vols in the hunt for a high seed in the SEC tournament and NCAA Tournament.

The details

Tennessee and Georgia traded leads throughout the game, with neither team able to pull away. The Lady Vols took an eight-point lead in the second quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs responded with a 9-0 run to tie it up. Tennessee led by seven in the third quarter, but Georgia battled back to make it a one-possession game heading to the fourth. With the Lady Vols up 64-63 late, Georgia's Dani Carnegie hit three free throws to tie it and send the game to overtime. In the extra period, Tennessee took the lead early and held on, making key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • Tennessee led by seven points with 4:40 left in the third quarter.
  • Georgia tied the game at 68-68 with 5.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

The players

Mia Pauldo

A freshman guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who hit a key 3-pointer at the end of the first half to give Tennessee the lead.

Zee Spearman

A standout player for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who combined with Pauldo to score 44 points in the game.

Dani Carnegie

A Georgia Lady Bulldogs player who hit three free throws in the final seconds of regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for us, especially coming off those tough losses. The team really showed a lot of heart and grit to pull this one out in overtime.”

— Mia Pauldo, Tennessee Lady Volunteers Guard

What’s next

Tennessee will next face the third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday in Columbia in a key SEC matchup.

The takeaway

This overtime thriller between two of the SEC's top women's basketball teams showcased the competitiveness and high-level play in the conference. Tennessee's ability to hold on for the win on the road against a tough Georgia squad demonstrates the Lady Vols' resilience and potential to make a deep postseason run.