Live Updates: Tennessee Lady Vols vs North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Tennessee Lady Volunteers are set to begin their season, as they are starting their season on Tuesday, which will be one of their many games from now until Sunday. This is a game that the Vols have had marked on their board, not just because it is the first game of the season, but because they are playing a really good team.

The "really" good team that they are playing isn't just really good but a top 10 program. The team that the Lady Volunteers are playing against is NC State. The NC State Wolfpack have been one of the fastest rising basketball programs in women's sports this offseason, as they are currentky ranked as the 9th best team. While they are ranked 9th they will be tasked with what could be the big bad wolves of the future, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

The Lady Vols are once again led by Kim Caldwell, as this is her second season. She led the Tennessee Lady Vols to a Sweet 16 appearance last season, and had an electric offseason. She brought in multiple recruits that will be very usable when it comes to this season as a whole.

The Lady Vols did lose a star player this week, as they will no longer be playing with Ruby Whitehorn after the star guard was reportedly arrested for her second time this offseason. The Vols have that in their rearview mirror and will now turn their focus to the tall task at hand, which is something that the Tennessee Vols will look to climb.

The Lady Vols have the chance to be one of the better teams in the nation, but to be the best you have to beat the best, and there aren't many that are comparable to what is offered from the NC State program. The Lady Vols program is one of the better offensive teams in the nation, and this will be something that catches the attention of many, but they will hope to make some defensive improvements from last season, which is something that they need to do, and need to do early in the season to reach their full potential.

Here are the live updates as we provide you with every detail needed in what could be one of the more important games of the season for the Lady Vols,

Tennessee 77, NC State 80

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell during a NCAA exhibition game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Columbus State Cougars at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 29, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

First Quarter: 10:00: Tipoff is here. The Vols win the tip. Barker drains a three to begin the game.

6:24: Tennessee mass subs. The Vols are looking good offensively, but will need to improve on the defensive side.

3:50: Cooper drains a huge three. The Vols trail by one.

1:42: Finally, a stoppage of play. This has been an eventful quarter, as the Vols are playing fast-paced, but their defensive scheme isn't working to the level you'd hope. Tennessee has a lot to like, but in order to get themselves back in the driver's seat, they will have to move out of their set.

1:00: Civil stuns a defender with the pass fake, and drills a three from the corner. Beautiful shot right there.

0:49: Mya Pauldo picks up another foul. This is her second. Her sister is on the floor to replace her.

0:00: The buzzer sounds. We are now in the second quarter.

Second Quarter: 10:00: The quarter begins.

9:47: Cooper gets the basket. Her 13th point, and the Vols have the lead.

7:27: A huge steal by Kaniya Boyd leads to more points for the Vols, and they have their largest lead of the game. They are up 32-25.

2:27: Tennessee is up by 10.

0:35: Barker hits a three and gets a tech for showing three fingers signaling her shot. Seems to be a very weak call in my opinion.

0:00: We have approached the half. Live updates will resume following halftime.

Third Quarter: 10:00: The quarter has begun.

9:40: Mia Pauldo scores the first point of the quarter.

8:33: The Wolfpack is on a run here. They are trailing by one possession.

7:02: Tennessee mass subs again. We have a close game.

6:21: NC State takes the lead. This is a major run by the Wolfpack. No timeout by Caldwell here.

5:04: The Wolfpack goes up 8 points, which is their largest lead of the game. They are on a huge run, which forced Caldwell to call a timeout.

4:46: Another official timeout. The Vols failed to score on their last possession.

3:10: A couple of forced turnovers, and the Vols are in possession of the ball, only down three.

0:00: The quarter comes to an end, and the Wolfpack are up by 1.

Fourth Quarter: 10:00: The quarter begins.

5:58: The Lady Vols will go to the line for two. They are down four prior to shooting. Civil hits one.

4:58: This game is super physical. The officiating has taken a turn for the worse on this game. This is still a close contest.

3:45: Mia Pauldo takes the lead for the Lady Vols. Beautiful shot by the freshman.

3:00: Tie ball game with the Wolfpack maintaining possession.

2:37: NC State will go to the line for a chance at two.

2:11: Barker takes the lead.

1:57: NC State takes the lead.

0:47: The two programs are trading blows. Lady Vols' ball coming out of the timeout.

0:01.9: The Wolfpack Will shoot two. They hit both and Tennessee will get one shot off but it will be for a tie.

0:00: NC State wins.

Tennessee 77, NC State 80

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