Lady Vols basketball hosted Kentucky for a top-20 clash this past Thursday. In Tennessee’s crucial 60-58 win, it was the best turnout of the season to date.
According to Tennessee Athletics, a season-high 12,551 fans were in attendance for the win. That included 1,851 students, which was also a season-high.
After the game, Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell credited the crowd for making an impact on the game.
“I was happy with our effort tonight,” Caldwell said. “I think, again, you’re watching us mature. We played really hard for 40 minutes when the shots were not going in. And that was nonexistent for us at the beginning of the year. So I was proud of that, proud of our young ones. We talked about people needing to step up, with Janiah being out, and I think everyone did that. And I really want to give a thanks to the crowd. The students came in full force. They were worth at least six points, and they got loud, it got loud, and we have players who play off that, so I appreciate the crowd tonight and them watching us.”
Summitt Sparked ☑️ pic.twitter.com/7ITYZkw9xu
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) January 25, 2026
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The Lady Vols secured the win behind a strong effort from freshman point guard Mia Pauldo. She produced 21 points on 9-for-22 shooting from the field to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Next, Tennessee will head to Oxford, Mississippi, to play Ole Miss on the road. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. ET with a TV designation yet to be announced. The game was initially scheduled for later that night, but was moved due to inclement weather.
The next home game is slated for Thursday, Jan. 29. Tennessee will host Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. ET on SECN+. UT already defeated the Bulldogs 90-80 on the road in Starkville.
