STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — Mia Pauldo scored 26 points to lead Tennessee to a 90-80 victory over Mississippi State in a Southeastern Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum. The Lady Volunteers never trailed, building a 10-point lead by halftime and maintaining control despite a 22-point performance from both Madison Francis and Kharyssa Richardson for the Lady Bulldogs. Tennessee’s efficient offense, which hit 10 3-pointers to Mississippi State’s two, proved decisive. The win improves Tennessee to 11-3 overall. Mississippi State falls to 14-3. An announced crowd of 3,905 attended.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — The Tennessee Lady Volunteers used a blistering offensive start and a career-high scoring performance from guard Mia Pauldo to secure a key Southeastern Conference road victory, defeating the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs 90-80 on Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum. Tennessee, improving to 11-3 overall, seized control of the game from the opening tip, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter that it would never relinquish. The Lady Volunteers scored 26 points in the first period, shooting efficiently and capitalizing on early Mississippi State miscues to establish a tone that lasted throughout the night. The most important part of the game was Tennessee’s immediate and sustained offensive execution, which forced Mississippi State to play from behind for all but the opening moments. The Lady Volunteers’ early barrage, particularly from Pauldo, put immense pressure on the Lady Bulldogs’ defense and allowed Tennessee to dictate the pace. Despite several pushes from the home team, Tennessee always had an answer, maintaining a lead that fluctuated between 8 and 15 points for most of the contest, never allowing Mississippi State to get within one possession in the second half. Pauldo, a 5-foot-6 sophomore from Paterson, New Jersey, was the catalyst, pouring in a career-best 26 points in just 28 minutes. She was efficient from the field, hitting key jumpers and three-pointers, and added three assists. Her backcourt partner, Talaysia Cooper, facilitated the offense with 14 points and five assists, while forward Janiah Barker provided a strong inside presence with 18 points and four assists. Zee Spearman also chipped in 14 points for a balanced Tennessee attack. Mississippi State, which fell to 14-3, was led by the formidable frontcourt duo of Madison Francis and Kharyssa Richardson, who each scored 22 points. Francis, who played 38 minutes, added four blocked shots, repeatedly challenging Tennessee drivers at the rim. Destiney McPhaul contributed 14 points and five assists for the Lady Bulldogs. While the final margin was 10 points, the game was defined by statistical disparities that underscored Tennessee’s offensive superiority. The Lady Volunteers shot 50.7% from the field and connected on 10 of 27 three-point attempts. Mississippi State, by contrast, managed only 2 of 13 from beyond the arc, a critical deficiency in its comeback efforts. Tennessee also won the assist battle 11-7 and recorded 11 steals, showcasing more fluid ball movement and disruptive defense. Mississippi State stayed competitive by dominating the free-throw line, making 18 of 21 attempts, and by scoring 18 points off Tennessee’s 14 turnovers. The teams were nearly even in rebounds, points in the paint, and turnovers committed, but Tennessee’s shooting efficiency from distance proved to be the decisive factor. The Lady Volunteers’ offensive rating of 119.9 points per 100 possessions far outpaced Mississippi State’s 105.3, illustrating the high-level execution that led to the road win. A crowd of 3,905 watched as Tennessee handed the Lady Bulldogs their second loss in three games following a defeat at Oklahoma last Sunday. The victory continues a positive start to SEC play for Tennessee, which has now won three straight conference games. Mississippi State will look to regroup quickly as both teams continue a rigorous league schedule. Tennessee next hosts Arkansas on Sunday. Mississippi State travels to face rival Mississippi, also on Sunday.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — A pivotal early Southeastern Conference women’s basketball clash awaits Thursday when the Tennessee Lady Volunteers visit the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Both teams enter with momentum from conference-opening wins but seek to establish dominance in a deep league race. Tennessee (10-3, 1-0 SEC) opened its SEC schedule with a 73-56 road victory at Auburn on Sunday. Mississippi State (14-2, 1-0 SEC) began with a 75-53 home win over Auburn on Jan. 1. The Lady Bulldogs, however, are looking to rebound from a stunning 95-47 non-conference road loss at Oklahoma this past Sunday. How they respond at home will be a key storyline. A marquee individual matchup will feature Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper against Mississippi State’s Kharyssa Richardson. Cooper, a dynamic guard, is coming off an 18-point, five-rebound, four-assist performance at Auburn and has scored in double figures in four of her last five games. Richardson, a versatile forward, led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points and five rebounds in the loss to Oklahoma and provides consistent interior production. Tennessee’s strength lies in its balanced attack, with Janiah Barker (17 points, eight rebounds vs. Auburn) providing a major inside presence alongside Cooper. Mississippi State’s identity has been built on defense and efficient scoring, though that was absent in the Oklahoma defeat. The Lady Bulldogs hold a significant home-court advantage at Humphrey Coliseum, where they are 8-0 this season. Tennessee has proven capable on the road, with key non-conference wins at Stanford and Tennessee-Martin, but also carries a blowout loss at Louisville. This contest is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Jan. 29 in Knoxville. The outcome will provide an early benchmark for both teams’ championship aspirations in the SEC.