GREENVILLE, S.C. — Tennessee’s fifth-place finish in the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball standings kept a coveted double bye for the league tournament just out of reach this season.
Instead of getting an extra day of rest and jumping into the 14-team bracket in the quarterfinals, the Lady Volunteers were forced into action Thursday, the second day of the tournament.
And then they had to shake off a slow start and some surprisingly strong challenges from 12th-seeded Kentucky to make sure there was a place for them at all in Friday’s schedule.
The Lady Vols beat the Wildcats 76-62 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, but the matchup was well into the second half before things really got comfortable for coach Kellie Harper’s team.
It was 35-all at the 6:25 mark of the third quarter when Tennessee launched a 10-0 run capped by Tess Darby’s 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the period. Tennessee took a 53-44 lead into the fourth quarter, then stretched its advantage to 14 points by 5:54 with a 7-2 run.