The No. 11 Tennessee Lady Volunteers ended a three-game homestand on a high note last Thursday with an 88-80 win over No. 20 Alabama, securing the Vols’ third consecutive victory. They then followed that up with a tight win over the Florida Gators in Gainesville, putting Tennessee in a good position with two regular season games left.
Head coach Kim Caldwell’s late-game adjustments played a pivotal role in preventing an Alabama comeback and solidifying the Lady Vols’ standing in the SEC. With the postseason approaching, every game carries significant weight, and Tennessee delivered when it mattered most. Here’s what Caldwell said after the victory over the Crimson Tide.
Kim Caldwell’s Late-Game Substitutions Explained
Following the victory Thursday night, Caldwell explained her substitution decision in a postgame interview.
“I think that group was scoring better, and they were guarding better, and they did what they needed to do, Caldwell said. “They were scoring down the stretch, which I think has been our problem in our close games is we have failed to score. And so we got—I think we were—pretty efficient the last two minutes—minute and a half.”
Senior guard Jewel Spear led the offensive charge for the Vols, finishing with 20 points and an impeccable 11-of-11 mark from the free-throw line. Six of those points came after being fouled on three-point attempts, demonstrating her ability to capitalize under pressure.
Meanwhile, sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper added 16 points, while junior forward Zee Spearman contributed 11. Guards Samara Spencer and Tess Darby each chipped in with nine points, further strengthening Tennessee’s balanced attack.
This game was crucial for both teams in the SEC standings. Tennessee and Alabama are both competing for a high seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament ahead of March Madness.
The NCAA selection committee had previously listed Tennessee as the 16th and final team in its bracket update, meaning the Lady Vols were still in position to host NCAA Tournament games.
Tennessee Overcomes Early Struggles to Defeat Florida
After securing this hard-fought win against Alabama, Tennessee continued its winning ways with an 86-78 victory over Florida. The Lady Vols capitalized on turnovers, scoring 24 points off 21 Florida misses.
Cooper once again led the charge with 18 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Spearman followed closely with 16 points, while Spencer contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Tennessee played one of its worst first halves in recent weeks against the Gators, struggling to find an offensive rhythm. The team shot just 30% from the field and faced additional challenges due to foul trouble.
Cooper saw limited minutes after picking up two early fouls, and the officiating heavily favored Florida, allowing the Gators 16 free-throw attempts compared to just three for Tennessee before halftime.
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However, the Lady Vols made the necessary adjustments after the break, delivering a dominant third quarter in which they outscored Florida 37-20. Their defensive pressure forced nine Florida turnovers, leading to 17 crucial points.
With these back-to-back victories, Tennessee improved to 21-6 overall and 8-6 in SEC play, reinforcing its position in the NCAA Tournament picture and boosting its chances for a higher seeding in the upcoming SEC Tournament.
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