TOP 25 SEC WOMEN

Late run secures Kentucky victory

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Jennifer O’Neill had 17 points and Linnae Harper scored 16 on Sunday to lead No. 15 Kentucky to its fifth 20-victory season in a row in an 83-74 victory over No. 16 Texas A&M.

Kentucky (20-7, 8-6 SEC) led the entire second half but needed an 8-2 run at the end of the game to secure the victory.

After the Aggies (21-7, 11-3) closed within 75-72 on Karla Gilbert’s putback with 2:34 left, they missed their last five field goals while the Wildcats pulled away.

The loss dropped A&M into a second-place tie with No. 10 Tennessee, while No.4 South Carolina clinched at least a share of the SEC regular-season title.

Samarie Walker had 14 rebounds and DeNesha Stallworth had 11 points and 12 rebounds for Kentucky.

Courtney Walker tied her career high with 26 points and had 10 rebounds for A&M. Courtney Williams added 16 points.

NO. 4 SOUTH CAROLINA 69, FLORIDA 55

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Tiffany Mitchell scored 20 points, Alaina Coates added 16 points and 12 rebounds as No. 4 South Carolina won its ninth consecutive game.

The Gamecocks (25-2, 13-1 SEC) matched their overall victory totals of the past two seasons and won their record 13th game in SEC play.

The Gamecocks led by 16 points midway through the second half until Florida rallied with an 13-3 run that cut things to 49-43 with 5:19 left. But Mitchell followed with a open three-pointer fromthe left corner before Aleighsa Welch and Coates had inside baskets.

Once more the Gators (17-10, 7-7) fought back to trim the lead to 58-51 and again Mitchell’s jumper and foul shot put the Gamecocks ahead 61-51.

NO. 10 TENNESSEE 56, MISSOURI 50

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Meighan Simmons scored 20 points and Mercedes Russell grabbed 11 rebounds to help No. 10 Tennessee edge Missouri.

Simmons’ steal and breakaway layup with 11:50 remaining capped a 22-5 run to give the Lady Vols (22-5, 11-3 SEC) a 43-27 lead, but Missouri clawed back to within 50-47 on Bri Kulas’ layup with 1:22 left.

Tennessee’s Isabelle Harrison then converted two free throws with 34.7 seconds to go and two more with 11.4 seconds left to end Missouri’s chances. Kulas added a three-pointer just before the buzzer.

Kulas finished with 22 points and Morgan Eye added 15 for the Tigers (16-11, 5-9), who only trailed by one point at halftime despite shooting 2 of 14 from three-point range before the break.

Sports, Pages 15 on 02/24/2014

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