Lady Vols polish off Hogs

Tasha Butts scored 25 points and Shyra Ely added 17 for second-ranked Tennessee in a 93-71 victory over Arkansas Thursday night.

Although Tennessee (24-2, 13-0 Southeastern Conference) won the regular-season title Sunday at Mississippi, the Lady Vols didn't falter against the Razorbacks. With just eight players available, the Vols led 47-21 at the half. Shameka Christon led Arkansas (16-10, 5-8) with 25 points in the final home game of her career.

The Lady Volunteers came out hot, building a 10-point lead seven minutes into the game, and led 39-18 after Sidney Spencer hit a 3-pointer with 4:52 left in the half. Spencer entered the game with just four 3-pointers in 23 attempts, but hit her first three shots from long range and was one of three Tennessee players with 11 points at halftime. She finished with 13.

The Lady Volunteers shot 51.7 percent in the half, making their first five 3-pointers.

Tennessee State could not overcome its shooting woes as host Samford connected on seven 3-point field goals and made 21-of-24 free throws on the way to a 60-45 win Thursday night.

Samford (10-17, 3-13) was led by Chelsee Insell's career high 27 points. TSU (1-24, 0-15 OVC) closes the season Saturday at Jacksonville State.

Samford used its 3-point shooting to earm an 86-70 win over the Tennessee State men Thursday night.

Despite the defeat, the Tigers have secured a berth in the OVC Tournament as a result of Southeast Missouri's 76-63 loss at Murray State.

TSU (7-19, 6-9) will be on the road for a first round game against an opponent to be determined after the Tigers' regular season finale at Jacksonville State Saturday.

Lipscomb's Lady Bisons, picked in the preseason poll to finish eighth in the conference, are basking in the glow of first place in the Atlantic Sun.

The Lady Bisons defeated Jacksonville 67-54 Thursday night on the road at Swisher Gym and Georgia State lost to Florida Atlantic University 61-58. The victory gave the Lady Bisons a 13-5 conference record, 16-10 overall. Georgia State fell to 12-5 with the loss.

Lipscomb closes out its last regular season road trip Saturday afternoon at 3 when they visit Stetson.

Lipscomb's Bisons put together a strong defensive effort, but struggled to find the basket in the first half in an 82-72 loss Thursday night to Georgia State at Allen Arena.

With 4:12 left to play, the Bisons (7-20, 4-15) were down only eight at 68-60 on a field goal by Chad Hartman, who also added seven rebounds. Georgia State (18-8, 13-6) also had four players in double figures.

NAIA No. 24 Trevecca (16-10, 10-5) defeated Lee University (13-18, 7-8) 93-78 Thursday evening, avenging an earlier loss to the Lady Flames.

Leslie Golden led the Lady Trojans with 27 points. All but two of Golden's points came on 3-point field goals or free throws.

As a team, the Lady set school records in both free throws made (37) and free throws attempted (45).

Trevecca will host Berry College (20-10, 6-8) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Trevecca (14-13, 5-7) took out Lee University (14-16, 3-9) 83-75 Thursday night in Cleveland.

Senior Curtis Lewis led the team with 28 points, putting him into the Trojans 1,000 point club (1,021) and his six 3-point field goals propelled him into first on the all-time 3-point FG list with 83.

- Staff reports