Lady Vols basketball was back at home after a two-game road swing and dominated Arkansas in front of the crowd at Food City Center. Tennessee won 85-50 to advance to 4-0 in the SEC slate.
Here are three thoughts from the win.
More From RTI: Lady Vols Basketball’s Leading Scorer is a ‘Game-Time Decision’ vs. Arkansas
Lady Vols Didn’t Have Their Top Scorer
The Lady Vols didn’t need her on Sunday against Arkansas, but they were without debatedbly their best player. Talaysia Cooper was a game-day scratch and was not on the sideline for the game. As we await to hear Kim Caldwell’s response on her status, Tennessee had to play without its leader in points, assists and steals.
In her absence, it was Mia Pauldo and Zee Spearman carrying the scoring load. Spearman led the way with 20 points while Pauldo finished right behind her with 18. Janiah Barker also produced 13, and Jaida Civil logged 12.
Picking up the missing production as a playmaker were Pauldo and Barker. They both finished the game with four assists. Perhaps most importantly, neither turned the ball over once.
On defense, Civil stepped up to disrupt in the press without Cooper. She came up with four steals in the game.
Turnover Differential Was Where It Needs To Be
At times this year, even in wins, the Lady Vols have coughed up the ball too many times and left the gym with over 20 turnovers. That is far from a sustainable recipe for success, especially when the tougher section of SEC play arrives.
While Arkansas is possibly the worst team in the conference, the turnover differential was in the right area. Tennessee only turned it over eight times in the game, resulting in just six points for the Razorbacks.
On defense, Kim Caldwell’s press helped force 26 turnovers. This resulted in 25 points.
Zee Spearman Was Fantastic
The Lady Vols needed someone to step up without Talaysia Cooper as a scorer. Zee Spearman quickly and consistently filled that void. She finished the game with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field.
It was her shot selection that was strong, as well. She settled for some threes, but made a pair. However, she put her head down and got to the rim with the ball or cut without it for easy scores to help her reach the impressive point total.
Outside of just scoring, she also contributed eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the game.
Final Stats
Up Next
Next, the Lady Vols will have a week off before their next game. The following Sunday, Tennessee will head to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama. That game is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will air on the SEC Network.
The break before the game is seemingly much-needed, as well. The Lady Vols got bruised up a bit in the win over Arkansas and were without both Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd. Alyssa Latham is also still nursing a shoulder injury, though she got some run.
