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Georgia women falter in 2nd half, fall to Tennessee 67-50
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ATHENS — Shekinna Stricklen had 24 points, including six in Tennessee's 11-0 run to open the second half, and the No. 7 Lady Vols beat No. 17 Georgia 67-50 on Sunday for their second win over the Lady Bulldogs this month.

Stricklen helped Tennessee (16-5, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) pull away after leading by only one point at halftime. Ariel Massengale had 16 points, including 13 in the second half, for the Lady Vols.

Meredith Mitchell had 13 points and Jasmine Hassell had 11 for Georgia (16-6, 5-4), which has lost consecutive games and three of its last four.

Forward Glory Johnson, who 22 points and 13 rebounds in Tennessee's 80-51 home win over Georgia on Jan. 5, had five points and a team-leading eight rebounds as the Lady Vols completed the sweep of the regular-season series.

Following a lopsided 72-44 loss at No. 2 Notre Dame on Monday, Tennessee coach Pat Summitt juggled her lineup in Thursday's 86-56 win at Alabama. Stricklen, who had a streak of 121 consecutive starts, the longest in the nation, end earlier this month due to an injury, didn't start against Alabama even though she was available.

Stricklen returned to the starting lineup against Georgia.

Georgia made only 2 of 11 3-pointers in the first half but trailed only 29-28 at the break. The Lady Vols led 19-11 after a 3-pointer by Taber Spani midway through the half. Georgia answered with six straight points, including back-to-back baskets by Jasmine Hassell.

Tennessee, which committed a season-low eight turnovers against Alabama, gave the ball away 12 times in the first half against the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Vols finished with 19 turnovers.

Meighan Simmons opened the second half with a 3-pointer to spark the Lady Vols' 11-0 run. Stricklen followed the 3-pointer by scoring on a drive and had a steal and basket later in the 11-0 run.

Georgia missed its first five shots from the field in the half.

The Lady Vols led 53-37 before Georgia pulled to within 10 at 53-43. Massengale answered with a 3-pointer for Tennessee.

Georgia battled foul problems late in the game. Mitchell was called for her fifth with 1:19 remaining.

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