Florida Gators at Tennessee Lady Volunteers

Tennessee continues dominance in SEC tournament

Meighan Simmons scored 20 points and Tennessee turned back Florida's late run to beat the Gators 82-73 Friday in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

No. 9 Tennessee (24-6), the three-time defending champion, has won 10 straight games in the tournament since its loss to Auburn in the 2009 semifinals. Warlick, previously the longtime assistant to Pat Summitt, wasn't satisfied with her first postseason win as coach.

"I think the first 10 minutes we set the tone and then we just get comfortable," Warlick said. "We get a lead and we get comfortable. We've got to have that killer instinct in us and finish the game the way we start the game."

The Lady Vols will face No. 19 Texas A&M in Saturday's first semifinal. Texas A&M beat South Carolina 61-52 on Friday.

Tennessee took its biggest lead of 13 points at 17-4, but couldn't put the game away.

"I think on the offensive end we're just talented," said Cierra Burdick, who had 14 points and eight rebounds. "We've got a bunch of people that can score the basketball. ... We've got to continue to pick it up on defense, because offense is not our problem. It's the defensive end."

Ariel Massengale and Simmons each made two free throws in the final 43 seconds to help seal the win. Taber Spani missed a one-and-one free throw with 30 seconds remaining, but Jaterra Bonds missed a layup for Florida.

Spani, who had 13 points, made three free throws in the final 16 seconds.

Bonds had 18 points and Carlie Needles scored 12 on four 3-pointers for Florida.

Tennessee edged Florida 78-75 in overtime in Gainesville on Jan. 13, giving the Gators confidence they could win the rematch.

"We didn't come here to play close or make it respectable or with any other expectation except to win," said Florida coach Amanda Butler.

After Moss opened the game with a driving basket for Florida, Tennessee scored the next 12 points and never lost the lead.

The Lady Vols ran on every opportunity, sometimes forcing Florida to foul. Tennessee outscored Florida 23-6 on free throws.

"Tennessee did a great job of getting themselves to the free-throw line and really capitalized on those opportunities," Butler said.

Warlick said she wanted her players to force the tempo with a "make or miss" mentality.

"We wanted a fast-tempo game," Warlick said. "I thought we set the tone early. I thought Florida did a great job of adjusting."

Tennessee closed the regular-season with a loss at Kentucky. Simmons said the renewed emphasis on pushing the tempo was "a major difference" against the Gators.

"We came out a lot more hungry this game," Simmons said. "We had a lot of high energy from the coaches on down."

Tennessee stretched its advantage to 47-36 at halftime.

Florida got within seven points midway through the second half. Tennessee led 63-56 with 7:23 remaining when Simmons drew her fourth foul on a charge and left the game. The Lady Vols produced an 8-2 run that included two baskets by Burdick, pushing the lead to 71-58.

Simmons returned for the final 2:39 and had a layup with 1:05 remaining after Florida pulled within eight points.

Tennessee won 16 SEC tournaments and eight national championships in 38 seasons with Summitt, who stepped down last April after announcing in 2011 she has early onset dementia. She did not attend the game.

How can I watch Gators vs. Lady Volunteers?

• TV Channel: Gators vs Lady Volunteers 2021 College Basketball, week 18, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Venue: Gas South Arena

Location: Duluth, GA
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