Lady Vols Take Control Late, Top Missouri in Knoxville
There’s something about playing in front of a home crowd that brings out the best in the Lady Vols-and Wednesday night in Knoxville was no exception. Tennessee put together a strong second-half surge to pull away from Missouri, securing a much-needed win in SEC play and showing flashes of the team they’re striving to become under head coach Kim Caldwell.
From the opening tip, this one had the feel of a physical, grind-it-out SEC battle. Missouri came in ready to compete, and head coach Kellie Harper-facing her former program-had her team locked in early. But Tennessee’s depth, defensive pressure, and energy eventually wore the Tigers down.
Let’s talk about the turning point. Midway through the third quarter, with the game still hanging in the balance, Tennessee’s guards turned up the tempo.
Talaysia Cooper, who’s been a steady presence all season, attacked the rim with confidence, slicing through defenders and finishing through contact. Her ability to create off the dribble opened up the floor, and suddenly the Lady Vols were getting cleaner looks.
Then came the spark from beyond the arc. Nya Robertson drilled a momentum-shifting three-pointer that brought the crowd to its feet and gave Tennessee the cushion it needed.
Her celebration afterward? Pure energy-exactly what you want to see from a team finding its rhythm down the stretch.
Defensively, the Lady Vols made key adjustments. Missouri’s guards had found some success early, but Tennessee tightened the screws in the second half.
Deniya Prawl and Alyssa Latham were active in the paint, contesting shots and cleaning up the boards. Latham, in particular, brought a physical presence on both ends-whether it was finishing inside or recognizing the assist that led to a key bucket, she was locked in.
You could feel the momentum shift in the final minutes. Tennessee’s bench was up, the crowd was loud, and the players on the floor were in sync. Jaida Civil checked out in the closing moments to a warm ovation-a small moment, but one that spoke volumes about the team’s effort and the connection with their fans.
For Missouri, there were bright spots. Abbey Schreacke battled hard defensively, taking on tough matchups and staying active. Chloe Sotell and Ma’Riya Vincent each had stretches where they challenged Tennessee’s defense, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace once the Lady Vols found their groove.
Kim Caldwell’s sideline energy was constant throughout, barking out instructions, encouraging her players, and keeping the intensity high. It’s clear this team is buying in to what she’s building. The chemistry is growing, the rotations are tightening, and the pieces are starting to click.
With this win, Tennessee keeps themselves firmly in the SEC mix. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty-and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need in February. The Lady Vols protected their home court, showed resilience, and gave their fans something to cheer about.
And if they can keep building on this momentum? The rest of the conference better be ready.