Kim Caldwell had someone back home to answer to after Lady Vols basketball blew an 18-point lead against Florida State on Wednesday.
Her grandmother.
“Not a great win, but we’ll take it. Nothing like blowing an 18-point lead,” the first-year Tennessee coach said. “My grandma texted and said, ‘What happened?’ And I said, ‘It was a terrible halftime speech.'”
Tennessee may have blown the lead, but it won the game 79-77 over Florida State in the SEC/ACC Challenge. The Lady Vols led by as many as 20 points near the end of the second quarter and led 45-27 at halftime at Food City Center.
But their defense couldn’t stop the Seminoles coming out of halftime and UT got outscored 30-12 in the third quarter. The game was tied 57-57 going into the fourth.
“We have a lot to learn from this one,” Caldwell said. “I think we needed it. We needed a test, and the more you can get tested early, the better you’ll be going into conference. And that’s what all of your nonconference schedule is about.”
Talaysia Cooper led Tennessee with 22 points and FSU guard Ta’Niya Latson scored a game-high 38 points.
“That’s a really good team,” Caldwell said. “In my opinion, it’s a top-25 team. They have had big wins, they have three great players surrounded by a great cast. So we’re happy to get out of here with a win.”
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: Kim Caldwell’s grandma texted her after Lady Vols blew lead vs Florida State
