After an up-and-down out-of-conference slate, Lady Vols basketball is off to a strong start in SEC play. After beating Florida at home on Thursday, Tennessee downed Auburn 73-56 on the road on Sunday evening.
Here are three quick takeaways from the Lady Vols’ win on The Plains.
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Answered Kim Caldwell’s Call
In the Lady Vols’ win over Florida, they took a 17-point lead in the second quarter. However, Tennessee let it all slip away and ultimately trailed in the second half. While the Lady Vols held on to win, it irked head coach Kim Caldwell. After the game, she praised the toughness to pull out the win, but said she’d rather just not blow the lead in the first place.
“The goal is to now start to lessen the meltdowns and then eliminate the meltdowns because you blow a 17-point lead,” Caldwell said. “Yes, it does take mental toughness to not give up, but let’s not blow the 17-point lead.”
At Auburn, the Lady Vols were put in a similar spot multiple times. In the second quarter, UT held a 15-point lead, but let it slip to seven. This time, Tennessee went into the half up 15. In the third, the Tigers got within just 11 before the Lady Vols went on a run and took a 23-point edge into the fourth.
It wasn’t perfect, and Auburn isn’t very good, but it is a step in the right direction that Tennessee was able to finally put a team away.
Talaysia Cooper, Janiah Barker Fulfill Big-Two Status
The Lady Vols’ tandem of Talaysia Cooper and Janiah Barker can be as good as anyone in the country. However, it’s been a bit inconsistent this year. Even in the SEC opener, Cooper was great, but Barker got lost in the fold.
This time, neither went under the radar. Even though it took Barker a bit to find her rhythm, she finished with 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. She also contributed eight rebounds, three blocks and a steal. Her only pitfall was the five early turnovers she committed.
On the other hand, Cooper was a constant force throughout the game. She contributed 18 points, three rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.
When both are playing at this level, the Lady Vols can truly go head-to-head with anyone. However, when you just get one playing well, that’s when Tennessee has looked rough and gotten blown out this year.
Lauren Hurst Could Be A Factor
Lauren Hurst hasn’t played much this season, but got the chance to show off against Florida with Jersey Wolfenbarger out due to illness. In that spot, there were still some freshman mistakes, but she proved to be an effective option this early in her career.
Against Auburn, she proved it wasn’t a fluke. Hurst grabbed four rebounds, two on both ends of the floor, in 13 minutes. She did not take a shot, but that’s fine, because Tennessee doesn’t need her to carry the scoring load at this point in her career.
Wolfenbarger also returned for the game against the Tigers, playing six minutes. She missed her lone shot from the field and grabbed one board.
With what Hurst has done, specifically on the glass, it’s tough not to say she deserves more minutes. Having a willing rebounder like her on both ends can go a long way.
Final Stats
Up Next
The Lady Vols will stay on the road for their next matchup. Next Thursday, Tennessee squares off with Mississippi State in Starkville. The game on Jan. 8 will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and air on SECN+.
Then, the Lady Vols return home for a matchup with Arkansas on Sunday, Jan. 11. That begins at 2 p.m. ET on SECN+.
