KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Senior Samantha Mahoney scored a team-high 18 points, but the Kentucky women?s basketball team couldn?t overcome a season-high 36 turnovers in a 79-51 loss to No. 2 Tennessee, on Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Bowling Arena.

Kentucky (11-11, 5-3 Southeastern Conference), suffered its first SEC road loss of the season, previously springing road wins on South Carolina, Mississippi State, and then-ranked No. 14 Georgia.

The Wildcats outshot Tennessee 47.4-percent, to UT?s 40.8-percent and tied the Lady Vols in the rebounding battle, 35-35. UK committed 17 turnovers in the first half, part of a season-high 36 turnover performance.

Freshman point guard Amber Smith did not see action in the second half after injuring her right knee with 0.5 seconds remaining in the first half. She finished with two points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 18 minutes of action.

Senior Sarah Elliot contributed 11 points and six rebounds, while Mahoney added five rebounds to complement her 18 points. Freshman Victoria Dunlap finished with a team-best nine rebounds and five points.

Tennessee (20-1, 7-0 SEC) forward Candace Parker totaled a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds.

With Tennessee leading by just three points with 11:44 remaining in the first half, UT went on a 12-0 run to take a 24-9 lead, a lead it would never surrender.

Kentucky returns home to play host to Ole Miss, Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena. The game will be televised on FSN South, marking UK?s sixth consecutive game televised live.