Lady Vols’ Narrow Win Over Florida Shows Room for Growth Before Postseason.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Lady Volunteers secured an 86-78 victory over the Florida Gators, but their performance indicated that there’s still room for development before the SEC Tournament. While the win keeps them in a strong position heading into March, it also exposed areas that need tightening if they want to make a deep postseason run.
One of the Lady Vols’ biggest strengths was their offensive efficiency. Tennessee shot well from the field and capitalized on key scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half when they pulled away from Florida. Senior guard Jewel Spear led the charge with her perimeter shooting, while forward Rickea Jackson dominated in the paint. Their ability to generate offense from multiple positions will be a crucial asset in tournament play.
However, Tennessee’s defensive inconsistencies kept Florida within striking distance throughout the game. The Gators exploited gaps in Tennessee’s perimeter defense, knocking down timely three-pointers that prevented the Lady Vols from fully pulling away. Additionally, rebounding struggles allowed Florida to secure second-chance points, an area head coach Kellie Harper will likely emphasize in practice.
Despite these issues, Tennessee showed resilience. Their ability to close out the game under pressure is a promising sign as they prepare for higher-stakes matchups. Harper’s squad has the talent to compete with the SEC’s best, but improved defensive discipline and rebounding will be essential in the coming weeks.
With the SEC Tournament approaching, the Lady Vols still have time to fine-tune their game. If they can shore up their weaknesses while maintaining their offensive firepower, they could emerge as a dangerous contender in both the conference tournament and the NCAA To
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