GREENSBORO, NC (utsports.com) - No. 8/9 Tennessee overcame an eight-point third-quarter deficit and grabbed a one-point lead with 54 seconds remaining before falling, 80-77, on Tuesday evening to No. 9/8 NC State in the Ro Greensboro Invitational at First Horizon Coliseum.

Freshman guard Mia Pauldo's layup with just under a minute left lifted the Lady Vols (0-1) on top, 77-76, but the Wolfpack (1-0) answered with a fast-break bucket and a pair of free throws to close out the win in front of a crowd of 4,731.

Redshirt junior guard Talaysia Cooper paced UT with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double and added game highs of seven assists and three steals on the day. Senior forward Janiah Barker, freshman guard Jaida Civil and Pauldo chipped in 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Khamil Pier

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