Redshirt junior guard Talaysia Cooper fired in a season-high 29 points to help No. 22/22 Tennessee erase an early 14-point deficit and push No. 4/4 Texas to the brink before falling, 65-63, on Sunday afternoon in front of a season-best crowd of 13,351 at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (16-7, 8-3 SEC) had possession of the ball with six seconds remaining in the game and a chance to tie or win, but the Longhorns (24-3, 9-3 SEC) eliminated any chance of a shot when Bryanna Preston came up with a steal to seal the win.
Cooper made 12 of 19 field goal attempts, including four of seven from beyond the arc, to lead her team and provide 10 of the team's 16 points in the fourth quarter. Joining her in double figures were senior forward Janiah Barker with 12 and senior guard Nya Robertson with 11.
Texas was paced by 14 points from Madison Booker, while Rori Harmon and Jordan Lee chipped in 12 apiece.