NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After a Southeastern Conference Tournament championship run filled with come-from-behind victories a year ago, Tennessee coach Holly Warlick was much more at ease this time around.
Led by 13 points and 11 rebounds from Bashaara Graves, the No. 5 Lady Vols (26-4) left little doubt about their status as defending champion with a comfortable 75-41 win over Georgia on Friday night.
Tennessee, which has won the tournament 17 times in 35 seasons, advanced to the semifinals for a 22nd straight season.
It did it in a much easier fashion than a year ago, when the Lady Vols had to come from double digits down in each of their three wins on the way to the tournament title.
“I feel a lot better,” Warlick said. “Last year, it was tough, but these young ladies battled.”