KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Shanna Zolman scored 23 and Shyra Ely and Tasha Butts 18 each, and a 14-0 run helped third-ranked Tennessee hold off Florida 88-79 Thursday night.
The Gators (16-8, 6-5 SEC) gave the Vols (22-2, 11-0) another tough conference game, leading for most of the first half and the beginning of the second before Tennessee got its 31st straight league victory.
Vanessa Hayden led Florida with 19 points, and Tashia Morehead and Sarah Lowe added 18 each.
Florida led by three at halftime and was ahead 41-37 shortly after the break. Tennessee then went on its decisive spurt.
The Gators cut the deficit to one twice afterward and got within 76-74 with 2:41 left. The Vols pulled away by going 10-of-10 from the free-throw line in the final 1:39.
Tye'sha Fluker added 10 points for Tennessee, which posted its 53rd straight SEC home win despite being outrebounded 39-34.
The Vols have had a series of close SEC games since losing point guard Loree Moore last month for the season with a torn left knee ligament. Tennessee also was playing without Brittany Jackson, who was helping fill in for Moore. Jackson sprained a left knee ligament in practice Wednesday.
N.C. STATE 65, FSU 55: Kaayla Chones had 16 points as the host Wolfpack (16-11, 8-6 ACC) held off the Seminoles (13-12, 6-8). Freshman Alicia Gladden scored a career-high 15 to lead Florida State in scoring for the second straight game.
UCF 68, CAMPBELL 63: Celeste Hudson tied a school record with seven 3-pointers and had 27 points and 10 rebounds to rally the host Golden Knights (10-12, 9-6 Atlantic Sun). Kristin Vuckovich scored 18 for the Camels (9-14, 7-9 A-Sun).
JU 56, TROY ST. 52: Yolisha Jackson tied a career high with 24 points to help the host Dolphins (3-20, 1-15 A-Sun) snap an 18-game losing streak and beat the Trojans (8-14, 7-8) for the first time in seven meetings.
