Tennessee walked into Coleman Coliseum on Sunday and did what no team had done in nearly two years - hand Alabama a loss on its home floor. The Lady Vols, ranked No. 20, snapped the Crimson Tide’s 18-game home win streak with a 70-59 victory, and in the process, stayed perfect in SEC play at 5-0.
This one didn’t start out looking like a Tennessee triumph. Alabama came out swinging, building a 10-point lead early in the first quarter.
But the Lady Vols didn’t blink. They regrouped, tightened up defensively, and by halftime, they had flipped the script to take a 35-28 lead.
From there, it was all about balance and resilience.
Talaysia Cooper led the way with 16 points, adding a pair of assists and steals. She wasn’t the most efficient shooter on the night - 6-for-16 from the field - but her timely buckets and energy on both ends helped set the tone. Cooper also knocked down three triples, a key piece of Tennessee’s perimeter attack.
And she wasn’t alone. This was a true team win, with five Lady Vols scoring in double figures.
Zee Spearman and Alyssa Latham each chipped in 12 points. Spearman, who eventually fouled out, also contributed four boards and three assists.
Latham added four rebounds, two assists and a steal - the kind of across-the-board stat line that reflects her growing impact on both ends of the floor.
Then there was Mia Pauldo, who came alive when it mattered most. With the game tightening in the fourth quarter, Pauldo poured in 10 of her 13 points down the stretch, helping Tennessee keep Alabama at bay. She played through foul trouble, finishing with four, but stayed composed when the game was on the line.
Arguably the most complete performance came from Janiah Barker, who notched a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds before exiting early with an injury. She also tallied two assists and two blocks, continuing to be a force in the paint. Her presence on the glass and interior defense was crucial in neutralizing Alabama’s frontcourt.
As for the Crimson Tide, Jessica Timmons did everything she could to keep her team in it. The junior guard poured in a game-high 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Tennessee’s depth and defensive pressure. Alabama, now 3-3 in SEC play, struggled to find consistent offense outside of Timmons.
This win wasn’t just about ending a streak. It was a statement from Tennessee - a team that’s finding its rhythm at the right time.
The Lady Vols showed they can take a punch early, adjust on the fly, and close strong on the road against a ranked opponent. That’s the kind of performance that travels in March.
With five conference wins in the books and momentum on their side, Tennessee is starting to look like a team that could make serious noise in the SEC - and beyond.