After struggling offensively to start SEC play, the Lady Vols hit their stride Thursday night when No. 9 Texas A&M came to town for a top-10 battle.
No. 7 Tennessee (13-2) scored the first basket of the game and never looked back as the squad went on to defeat the Aggies (14-3) 81-58 and extend its winning streak to nine games.
“Great team effort tonight,” head coach Holly Warlick said. “We’re just playing hard, and I just thought we stepped up, and our offense was probably the best, and most efficient we’ve had in a while. I’m just really proud of our basketball team, and I hope we can keep it going.”
A key factor in the offensive turnaround was the play from All-SEC forward Isabelle Harrison. Harrison combined for five total points in the past two games, and spent most of her time on the bench in foul trouble. Harrison only picked up two fouls during the game, something she put a lot of effort into.
“Don’t foul,” Harrison said. “That was my game plan.”
The senior bounced back strong Thursday night, however, scoring Tennessee’s first eight points of the game, on her way to a 21-point performance.
“I think it was big for Izzy,” Warlick said. “I think our team has really handled her not probably producing the last two games as she has been. I think we have handled it, I think Izzy has handled it pretty well. It is really fun to see when you best player is putting up points and moving and doing the things that she is capable of doing.”
Leading by five early in the game, the Lady Vols used a quick 10-0 run to take control of the game, capped off by an Andraya Carter steal and layup.
Tennessee took a 16-point lead into the locker room after Jordan Reynolds hit a jumper as time expired, but the Aggies fought to get back into the game behind the play of All-SEC guards Courtney Williams and Courtney Walker.
The two combined for 19 of the Aggies’ 27 second half points, and the two managed to cut the lead down to nine with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Lady Vols responded, though, and a 14-0 run effectively put the game out of reach.
Walker finished with 25 points and five rebounds to lead the Aggies.
The three seniors on this Tennessee team were instrumental to achieving the win, as they were the only three Lady Vols in double figures.
Cierra Burdick had six assists to go along with her double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Ariel Massengale poured in 14 points off the bench, included a couple of big threes to put the game away.
This was the Lady Vols’ third top-10 victory of the season, after beating Stanford and Oregon State earlier in the year, and Tennessee isn’t shy when talking about the talent on its roster.
“We’re a Final Four team,” Burdick said. “That’s our goal, and I know myself, and Ariel and Izzy are gonna do everything we can to lead this team to Tampa. That’s what we want, that’s what we’re capable of doing.”
