Lady Vols roll to win over Oklahoma State in Cancun Challenge

No. 12 Tennessee defeated Oklahoma State 79-69 on day two of the Cancun Challenge.

Jaime Nared led the way for the Lady Vols, getting things going early on. As Tennessee jumped out to an early 24-10 lead over the course of the first quarter, Nared poured in 10 early points on 4-of-4 shooting from the floor.

On the afternoon, Nared scored 21 points to become the 45^th Lady Vol to surpass 1,000 career points. The senior also added 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals to record her second straight double-double.

Fellow senior Mercedes Russell also helped Nared lead the Lady Vols in production. Russell scored a team-high 25 points while hauling in eight rebounds. Nared and Russell combined for 46 points and 18 rebounds on the night.

Oklahoma State (5-1) would go on a 12-5 run at the 6:57 minute mark of the second quarter to cut the Lady Vols double-digit lead to 30-22. Tennessee would immediately answer back with a run of its own, going on a 7-1 run to enter halftime with a 41-31 lead.

The Cowgirls came out of halftime firing on all cylinders as they went on a 9-2 run to cut the Tennessee lead to 43-40 lead. Despite going on a nearly four-minute scoring drought in the middle of the third quarter, Tennessee closed strong to hold a 57-49 lead at the end of the frame.

Tennessee and Oklahoma State would trade buckets for most of the fourth quarter. Thanks to several key baskets from Russell, the Cowgirls were never able to overtake the Lady Vols.

Freshman Rennia Davis continues to impress for the Lady Vols as she recorded her third consecutive double-double in the win. Davis finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and is now averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on the season.

The Lady Vols will face South Dakota tomorrow afternoon in their final game of the Cancun Challenge. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.

Feature image courtesy of UT Sports

Edited by Seth Raborn