GREENVILLE, S.C. – Tennessee never led against Alabama and was eliminated in its SEC Tournament opener Thursday night, falling 76-64 in the second round at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Lady Vols struggled with turnovers and interior defense throughout the night as Alabama controlled the tempo and built a lead Tennessee could not overcome.
Here are three takeaways from Tennessee’s loss.
Alabama seized control after early first-quarter timeout
The game shifted midway through the first quarter after Alabama called a timeout with the score tied.
Tennessee had just erased an early deficit when Zee Spearman knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the arc to tie the game at 12. Alabama responded out of the timeout with a burst that changed the trajectory of the night.
The Crimson Tide quickly grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback before Jessica Timmons knocked down a three-pointer following a Tennessee turnover. Alabama continued the run moments later when Ta’Mia Scott converted an offensive rebound inside.
The surge helped Alabama close the first quarter on a strong stretch and build a 25-18 lead, momentum it maintained the rest of the game.
Alabama consistently attacked inside and finished with 38 points in the paint, using drives and second-chance opportunities to control the game offensively.
Turnovers limited Tennessee’s chances to rally
Ball security proved to be one of Tennessee’s biggest challenges.
The Lady Vols committed 18 turnovers, several of which halted offensive momentum or allowed Alabama to extend its lead.
Tennessee did generate defensive pressure at times, forcing 13 Alabama turnovers and converting those into 11 points off turnovers. But the Lady Vols often struggled to turn those opportunities into sustained runs.
Even during stretches when Alabama cooled offensively, Tennessee had difficulty stringing together clean possessions.
The miscues repeatedly stalled Tennessee’s attempts to cut into the deficit.
Barker and Spearman provided Tennessee’s offensive spark
Despite the loss, Tennessee received strong offensive production from Janiah Barker and Zee Spearman.
Barker led the Lady Vols with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including several baskets during Tennessee’s second-half push. One came on a second-chance opportunity in the third quarter when she fought through contact for an and-one finish that briefly trimmed Alabama’s lead.
Spearman added 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting and provided Tennessee with key moments on both ends of the floor.
She tied the game early in the first quarter with a three-pointer and later scored on a tough finish in the paint during a fourth-quarter surge that helped Tennessee cut into the deficit. Spearman also contributed defensively with a block and rebound sequence in the third quarter that led to a Tennessee basket on the other end.
Tennessee used a 9-3 run late in the fourth quarter to make a final push, but Alabama responded to maintain control down the stretch.
One notable rotation development was that Talaysia Cooper did not return after being subbed out early in the third quarter.
The loss marked Tennessee’s first one-and-done appearance in the SEC Tournament since the 2016-17 season.
