Simmons scores 20 points to lead No. 8 Tennessee women to 77-65 win over Mississippi

Tennessee guard Meighan Simmons and Mississippi forward Tia Faleru (32) vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Oxford, Miss., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) (The Associated Press)

f7c13ab8-Tennessee Mississippi Basketball

Mississippi forward Tia Faleru (32) goes up for a shot past Tennessee guard Meighan Simmons (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Oxford, Miss., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) (The Associated Press)

OXFORD, Miss. – Meighan Simmons scored 20 points, including three straight 3-pointers in the second half, to lead No. 8 Tennessee to a 77-65 victory over Mississippi on Thursday night.

Tennessee (19-4, 8-2 Southeastern Conference) was 26 of 61 from the floor (42.6 percent) and finished 18 of 21 from the free throw line.

Ole Miss (10-14, 1-9) challenged a few times in the first half, and even led for brief stretches, but the Lady Vols ended the half on an 18-9 run and led 37-28 at the break.

The game remained tight until 10 minutes into the second half, when Simmons broke it open with her consecutive 3s. The Rebels never mounted another serious challenge.

Isabelle Harrison had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Tennessee.

Tia Faleru led Ole Miss with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Gracie Frizzell scored 15 points, including four 3-pointers and Valencia McFarland and Danielle McCray had 10 points apiece.