Lady Vols claim SEC tourney title

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Tennessee coach Pat Summitt moved within a game of Dean Smith’s career victories record, and the Lady Vols beat top-ranked LSU 67-65 on Sunday for their first Southeastern Conference tournament title in five years.

Shyra Ely finished a fastbreak with a layup with 34.1 seconds left to put No. 5 Tennessee up 66-65.

LSU had the play it wanted the next time down, but a wide-open Sylvia Fowles couldn’t handle Temeka Johnson’s pass beneath the basket. Alexis Hornbuckle collected the loose ball for Tennessee (26-4) and made a foul shot for the final point.

Summitt, who won her 11th SEC tournament crown, has 878 career wins. It’s a good bet she’ll at least tie Smith, the longtime North Carolina men’s coach, when the NCAA Tournament begins in two weeks.