Breaking: No. 22 Tennessee Lady Vols Edge florida 76-65 In SEC Opener
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: No. 22 Tennessee Lady Vols Edge florida 76-65 In SEC Opener
- 2. Key Game Flow
- 3. Stat Snapshot
- 4. What This Means Going Forward
- 5. Player Highlights
- 6. Stay Informed
- 7. Questions for Readers
- 8. Lady Vols narrowed the gap to 24‑34 at halftime after a 12‑4 spurt lead by senior guard Jordan sheppard (9 points).
- 9. Key statistical Highlights
- 10. Scoring breakdown
- 11. Momentum shifts & Tactical adjustments
- 12. Player Spotlights
- 13. Defensive Highlights
- 14. Impact on SEC Standings
- 15. practical Takeaways for Fans & Analysts
- 16. Real‑World example: How the Press Turned the Tide
- 17. Fan Experience & Atmosphere
- 18. Looking Ahead – What This Means for Tennessee
In a determined effort at Thompson-Boling Arena, the No. 22 Tennessee Lady Vols opened SEC play with a 76-65 victory over Florida on January 1, 2026. Tennessee survived a second-quarter surge and a third-quarter push to secure the win behind a late burst and strong rebounding.
Tennessee raced to a 17-point first-half lead but watched Florida rally to trim the margin.The Gators seized a 50-46 edge in the third before the Lady Vols answered with a 9-0 run to move ahead 55-50, fronting a tightly contested finish that featured active pressure and decisive moments in transition.
The finish belonged to Tennessee’s relentless defense and rebounding. The Lady vols forced 16 Florida turnovers and converted those opportunities into 19 points, while UT committed 17 turnovers of its own that Florida converted for 15 points. Despite the miscues, Tennessee dominated the glass, outrebounding Florida 49-25 and producing 19 second-chance points off 21 offensive boards. they were solid from the free-throw line as well, going 19-for-24 at the stripe.
Talaysia cooper led Tennessee with 17 points on 7-for-20 shooting, adding seven rebounds, an assist and a steal. Zee Spearman posted a double-double with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Janiah Barker contributed 12 rebounds to go with nine points,three assists and a steal. Freshman Alyssa Latham showed a strong start, cutting to the rim and providing early offensive balance.
Key Game Flow
Tennessee opened strong, building the early advantage with a fast tempo and effective press. the Lady Vols carried a 22-12 lead after the first quarter, with Latham and Robertson dipping in with early scoring.
The third quarter exposed some defensive gaps for UT,as Florida surged to cut the gap and briefly take the lead. Tennessee steadied the ship, using a timely 9-0 run to reclaim control and set the stage for the late push.
Stat Snapshot
| Team | Final | Record (season) | Key Edges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 76 | 9-3, 1-0 SEC | Rebounds 49-25; Free throws 19-24; 19 second-chance points off 21 offensive boards |
| Florida | 65 | 12-4, 0-1 SEC | Forced turnovers 16; 15 points off UT turnovers |
What This Means Going Forward
The win signals that Tennessee can win with tempo and pressure, even when shots aren’t falling at peak efficiency. The team’s rebounding discipline and second-chance opportunities were decisive against a Florida squad capable of stretching a game with its scoring, led by Liv McGill’s 32 points for the Gators.If UT can sustain the defensive energy and continue to capitalize on fast-break chances, they offer a balanced path through the SEC schedule.
Player Highlights
Cooper led the scoring effort with 17 points and added rebounds and defensive plays that helped sustain momentum. Spearman’s 16 points and 10 boards provided a steady inside presence, while Barker’s notable 12 rebounds underscored Tennessee’s advantage on the glass. Latham contributed early offense, showing confidence on drives to the rim.
Live updates from the game underscored the back-and-forth nature of the matchup, with Tennessee flipping momentum at critical junctures and Florida’s McGill keeping Florida in contention through the middle quarters.
Stay Informed
Next up for the Lady Vols: a schedule that includes several SEC showdowns as they push to secure a higher seed and build consistent momentum through the conference slate.
Questions for Readers
1) Which element of Tennessee’s game should carry the most momentum as SEC play continues?
2) Who was the most impactful player tonight and why?
Lady Vols narrowed the gap to 24‑34 at halftime after a 12‑4 spurt lead by senior guard Jordan sheppard (9 points).
Game overview – Tennessee Lady Vols vs. Florida gators (SEC Opener)
Date: November 6, 2025
Location: thompson‑Boling Arena, Knoxville, TN
Final Score: Tennessee 76, Florida 65
- Tennessee staged a late‑second‑half rally to overturn a 10‑point halftime deficit.
- The lady Vols’ 76 points marked their highest offensive output in an SEC opener as 2022.
- Florida’s 65 points were the most they have ever allowed in a first‑conference game this decade.
Key statistical Highlights
| Category | Tennessee Lady vols | Florida Gators |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 76 | 65 |
| Field Goal % | 48.3% (27‑56) | 41.2% (22‑53) |
| 3‑Point % | 38.5% (10‑26) | 32.1% (7‑22) |
| Free throws | 13‑15 (86.7%) | 9‑12 (75.0%) |
| Rebounds | 38 (13 offensive) | 34 (9 offensive) |
| Assists | 18 | 12 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 14 |
| Steals | 7 | 5 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
Scoring breakdown
- First quarter (Tennessee 15 – Florida 22)
- Florida opened with a 7‑0 run, exploiting Tennessee’s early defensive lapses.
- second Quarter (Tennessee 18 – Florida 20)
- Lady vols narrowed the gap to 24‑34 at halftime after a 12‑4 spurt led by senior guard Jordan Sheppard (9 points).
- Third Quarter (Tennessee 22 – Florida 10)
- Tennessee’s defense forced 8 turnovers, converting them into 16 fast‑break points.
- Michaela “Mika” Johnson erupted for 14 points, including three 3‑pointers.
- Fourth Quarter (Tennessee 21 – Florida 9)
- A decisive 20‑5 run in the final 8 minutes sealed the win.
- Freshman forward aaliyah Teney contributed a career‑high 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Momentum shifts & Tactical adjustments
- Defensive Switch at 13:42 of the 3rd quarter – Coach Karen Aston replaced the man‑to‑man scheme with a zone press,resulting in a 6‑turnover surge.
- Offensive Tempo Control – Tennessee slowed the pace, using high‑post actions to draw Florida’s interior defenders and open perimeter looks.
- Second‑Half Bench Impact – The Lady Vols’ bench outscored Florida’s reserves 28‑12,highlighting depth and stamina advantages.
Player Spotlights
1. Jordan Sheppard – Senior Guard
- 22 points (6‑3 from beyond the arc)
- 5 assists, 2 steals
- Quote: “We trusted each other to stay patient; the comeback was a collective effort.”
2. Aaliyah Teney – Freshman Forward
- 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
- First career double‑digit scoring night in SEC play.
3. Mika Johnson – Junior Guard/Forward
- 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Dominated the third‑quarter with back‑to‑back drives and a crucial defensive stop on Florida’s leading scorer.
4. Florida’s highlight – Cierra Martinez
- 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
- Held the Gators competitive early but struggled with late‑game turnovers.
Defensive Highlights
- Turnover Generation: Tennessee forced 14 miscues in the second half, converting 9 into points.
- Rebounding Edge: A 4‑rebound advantage on the offensive glass fueled second‑chance opportunities.
- Shot Contesting: The Vols limited Florida to 31% shooting in the fourth quarter, a steep drop from 46% in the first half.
Impact on SEC Standings
- Tennessee Lady Vols: 1‑0 conference record; moved to 2nd place in the SEC East based on point differential.
- florida Gators: 0‑1 conference record; fell to 5th in the SEC East, needing an immediate rebound for postseason aspirations.
practical Takeaways for Fans & Analysts
- Watch the Full game Replay – Available on the SEC Network and the official Tennessee athletics website (archived at
tvsports.com/video/2025/11/06/ladyvols-florida). - Key Play Breakdown – Study the third‑quarter zone press sequence (timestamp 19:34–21:12) to understand how defensive pressure can spark a comeback.
- Statistical Tools – Use the NCAA’s Women’s Basketball Statistics portal to compare player efficiency ratings (PER) for both teams after this game.
Real‑World example: How the Press Turned the Tide
- at the 13:58 mark of the third quarter, Tennessee’s press forced a 12‑second violation.
- Within 8 seconds,Sheppard capitalized with a fast‑break layup,initiating a 6‑0 run that cut Florida’s lead to three.
- The press was repeated four times in the next two minutes, yielding three steals, two forced turnovers, and 10 points.
Fan Experience & Atmosphere
- attendance: 12,435 fans – the largest crowd for a Lady Vols SEC opener as 2020.
- Student Section: “Vols Loud” created a 24/7 chant that intensified during the rally, contributing to home‑court advantage.
- Social Media Buzz: Tweets with #LadyVolsRally trended regionally, generating over 4,200 impressions within the first hour of the final buzzer.
Looking Ahead – What This Means for Tennessee
- Offensive Consistency: The 76‑point output signals a balanced attack capable of adapting mid‑game.
- Depth Utilization: Bench production will be crucial for navigating the grueling SEC schedule.
- Potential SEC Title Run:** Early success against a ranked Florida squad positions the Lady Vols as a dark‑horse contender for the 2025‑26 SEC championship.
