ATHENS, Ga. – Every time Jewel Spear shot the ball at Stegeman Coliseum, it seemed like it was going in.
Lady Vols basketball’s senior guard hit shot after shot against Georgia, hitting timely 3-pointers and getting herself to the free-throw line. Her 25 points led Tennessee to a 95-73 win over Georgia on Thursday.
Spear shot 57.1% from the field, putting together another efficient outing for Tennessee (13-7, 6-2 SEC). She scored 30 points Sunday against Ole Miss while shooting 64.7% from the field.
Tennessee went 12-for-29 from 3-point range against Georgia (10-11, 1-7 SEC), the most 3-pointers it has made in SEC play. Spear led the way, going 5-for-9 from deep. Senior forward Rickea Jackson added 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Jillian Hollingshead did not travel with the team due to illness. The junior forward is averaging 4.8 points and 5.4 rebounds and playing 12.6 minutes per game in SEC play.
Lady Vols capitalize on Georgia turnovers in first half
Jasmine Powell and Spear trapped a Georgia player near midcourt on the last possession of the first half. Powell got the steal and scored easily in transition off the 12th Georgia turnover of the half.
Tennessee scored 18 points off those turnovers to take a 41-24 lead into the break. Powell led the way with three steals. The Lady Vols only forced two turnovers after halftime, though, and committed eight.
Georgia scored 19 points off 15 Tennessee turnovers.
Tamari Key starts for the first time since last season
Senior center Tamari Key hasn’t been in the circle for tipoff since she was sidelined last season due to blood clots in her lungs.
But Key made her return to the starting lineup Thursday, and her presence shut down Georgia on defense. The Bulldogs didn’t make a field goal in the second quarter until Key subbed out with 3 minutes left.
Key was aggressive in the paint and on the boards and finished with 10 points on 5-for-8 shooting, eight rebounds and a block in 26 minutes.
Tennessee’s defense falters in third quarter
Tennessee held Georgia to 24 points in the first half but gave up 30 points in the third quarter.
Asia Avinger, who averages 7.7 points, got hot in the third and scored 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Georgia shot 66.7% from the field in the third and went 4-for-5 from 3-point range.
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Georgia shot 22.1% on 3-pointers and only averaged 2.1 made 3-pointers in SEC play going into Thursday’s matchup. The Bulldogs shot 33.3% on seven made 3-pointers against Tennessee.
Defense has been an issue for the Lady Vols, and they gave up the most points Georgia has scored in SEC play. The Bulldogs have the worst scoring offense in the conference and only averaged 56.3 points in SEC games before Thursday.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jewel Spear leads Lady Vols to blowout win over Georgia on the road
