NASHVILLE, TENN. (AP) - Vanderbilt and Tennessee have resumed the second half of their game at the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament after a delay because of a tornado warning in the area.
Tornado sirens had just started when SEC officials announced a delay of up to 15 minutes. No. 13 Tennessee led Vanderbilt 35-27, and the Lady Vols had come out to start warmups. The Commodores had not left their locker room yet.
Fans remained in their seats at Bridgestone Arena, with bands playing. Within minutes, golf-ball sized hail was heard pounding on the roof.
A few blocks away in downtown Nashville, the warning also delayed the Ohio Valley Conference women’s tournament semifinal between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech. OVC officials took cover in the lower level of the Municipal Auditorium before being given the clearance to return.
Once the storm passed, Tennessee and Vanderbilt were given a short warmup before play resumed around 5:20 p.m. EST.
With a forecast of extreme weather for Friday, SEC officials announced before the day’s first game that fans would be allowed to remain inside the arena for the second session at night.
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