AUBURN, Ala. — Tennessee earned its first Southeastern Conference road win of the season Sunday night, with a 73-56 victory over Auburn.
Tennessee moved to 2-0 in league play.
The Lady Vols relied on defensive pressure and transition offense to create separation.
Janiah Barker delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor, setting the tone as Tennessee took control.
Auburn showed strong defensive discipline at times in the second quarter. Once forcing Tennessee deep into the shot clock and limiting clean looks at the basket. With time winding down on one possession, Barker created her own shot, knocking down a step back jumper with a defender’s hand in her face to break the stalemate.
On the next trip, Mia Pauldo found Barker with a sharp feed that led to an uncontested layup and sparked Tennessee’s offensive rhythm.
The Lady Vols continued to push the pace, capitalizing in transition after defensive rebounds and turnovers. Another fast break sequence ended with Pauldo delivering a pass into the paint to Barker, who finished through traffic to extend the lead to 51-37.
Barker’s impact went beyond scoring late in the third quarter.
In the final seconds of the period, she read an Auburn pass like an elite cornerback, breaking up a deep entry pass. The play came with heavy contact that sent Barker to the floor, but she was back on her feet moments later.
The sequence ended with Talaysia Cooper converting both free throws to close the quarter, giving the Lady Vols a 61-38 lead heading into the final period.
Barker scored 11 of her points in the third quarter, arguably her most dominant stretch of the game.
She continued to assert herself defensively in the fourth quarter, collecting three rebounds and blocking two shots.
Her intensity was on full display. Later in the game she swatted a shot such authority it drew a stunned reaction from teammate Deniya Prawl, who had a front row seat to the play.
The effort was even more impressive considering the score was 66-44 Lady Vols.
Tennessee maintained control down the stretch, never allowing Auburn to threaten a comeback.
Barker finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. The Lady Vols shot an efficient 51 percent from the floor.
After the game, Barker spoke on the SEC Network about the team’s execution.
“We just followed the scout. We practiced hard, we had a plan, and we followed it. We got the dub. And I’m just super proud of us. One thing I’m not proud of is the turnovers we have,” Barker said.
Tennessee improves to 9-3 on the season and returns to the road Thursday to face Mississippi State.
