Lady Vols basketball concluded its non-conference slate with a dominant 90-55 win over Liberty.

Tennessee (7-5) was in complete control of the Flames (5-10) throughout the game, with a 33-point third quarter allowing the Lady Vols to pull away.

Tennessee ran a 10-player rotation, with the injury to Destinee Wells forcing the Lady Vols to be more creative at the point guard position. Jasmine Powell took on the bulk of the minutes, but Kaiya Wynn played a significant amount of time, scoring 12 points and earning seven assists. All 10 Lady Vols who participated scored in the game.

“It was a great all-around team win,” Tennessee guard Tess Darby said on postgame radio. “Everyone did their job, but we did it at a higher level. I think that’s exactly what we need, and it’s the momentum that we need to bring.”

Here are three takeaways from the win. 

Defense takes a massive step forward

In the first two minutes of the game, the Lady Vols forced three turnovers.

That positive momentum continued throughout the game. The Lady Vols had six steals and forced 10 turnovers in the first half and finished the game with 12 steals.

The Lady Vols held Liberty to just nine points in the first quarter and 24 points in the first half. The 55 points allowed by Tennessee is the lowest total of the season.

Most of Tennessee’s defensive focus went toward Bella Smuda, Liberty’s leading scorer coming into the game. However, Smuda was shut down, only scoring six points.

“I thought our perimeter aggressiveness really took away easy opportunities to get her the basketball,” Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper said on postgame radio. “She’s really talented. She scores well. She finishes well. I was just proud of our team taking away their number one option there.”

Continued strong defensive performances would go a long way toward the Lady Vols being productive during the conference season.

Darby sets career-high total

Coming into Sunday’s game, Darby’s only game in double digits this season came in the second game against Florida State. Darby was shooting only 28% on the season before Tennessee’s visit to Liberty.

Darby had a dominant first half, making four 3-pointers for the first time in a game this season. She went on to have a career-high 18 points, including six made 3-pointers.

“It has been a tough way to start the season from 3-point range for myself,” Darby said on postgame radio. “But I just kept believing in myself, and my coaches and teammates did too.”

Tennessee’s actions put Darby in a catch-and-shoot position a lot. Darby excels in this position, which allowed her to have success.

“I think I’m better when I don’t have time to think, which is crazy to say,” Darby said on postgame radio. “Whenever I’m not thinking, I’m at my best.”

Rickea Jackson continues return from injury

For the Lady Vols to be successful, Rickea Jackson needs to be Tennessee’s best player. She was definitely Tennessee’s best player on Sunday.

Jackson scored 21 points and brought down seven rebounds in Tennessee’s win. However, Jackson’s presence also opened up other areas of the floor.

“They’re looking to get her the ball,” Harper said on postgame radio. “What that does, that puts the ball in her hands a lot, which is important, but it also opens up opportunities. That’s why we had so many open looks tonight because people were keying in on our interior.”

Jackson will need to continue to produce at a high level as conference play begins on Thursday.