TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — The Tennessee Lady Volunteers used a strong second quarter to secure a 70-59 women’s basketball victory over Alabama on Sunday at Coleman Coliseum. Tennessee, which led 35-28 at halftime, outscored Alabama 21-11 in the second period to establish a lead it would not relinquish. The Crimson Tide drew within four points in the third quarter but could not complete the comeback. Jessica Timmons led all scorers with 22 points for Alabama. Tennessee countered with balanced scoring as Talaysia Cooper scored 16 points, Mia Pauldo added 13 and Alyssa Latham contributed 12 points. The win improved Tennessee to 13-3 overall. Alabama fell to 17-3. Attendance was 4,185.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — In a rugged Southeastern Conference defensive battle defined by missed shots and physical play, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers used a decisive second-quarter surge to secure a 70-59 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in women’s basketball on Sunday at Coleman Coliseum. The game, played before a crowd of 4,185, was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. Tennessee, despite an uncharacteristically low assist total and losing several key statistical categories, leveraged superior shooting percentages and a critical stretch before halftime to hand Alabama only its third loss of the season. Alabama started strong, leveraging its defensive length early. The Crimson Tide led 17-10 after a first quarter in which they forced five Tennessee turnovers and blocked three shots, with 6-foot-4 forward Naomi Jones serving as a rim-protecting presence. Jessica Timmons, Alabama’s leading scorer, had seven points in the opening period. The complexion of the game shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Tennessee’s defense stiffened, holding Alabama to just 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The Lady Volunteers, meanwhile, found an offensive rhythm, putting together a 21-point quarter. The run was fueled by balanced scoring, including a crucial three-pointer from guard Mia Pauldo and an inside finish from Alyssa Latham. This turned a seven-point deficit into a 35-28 halftime lead for the visitors, a margin they would not relinquish. The third quarter saw Alabama attempt to rally. Timmons and Karly Weathers hit from the perimeter, and Jones continued to alter shots, finishing the game with six blocks. Each time the Crimson Tide threatened to cut the lead to a single possession, however, Tennessee answered. Talaysia Cooper connected on a three-pointer, and Latham consistently finished plays inside, scoring eight of her 12 points in the period to help Tennessee maintain a 51-46 edge heading to the final quarter. Tennessee put the game away in the fourth with a combination of timely scoring and clutch free-throw shooting. After Alabama closed to within 54-50 on a Timmons jumper, the Lady Volunteers responded with a 7-0 spurt. Pauldo hit her third three-pointer of the game, and Tennessee capitalized on Alabama turnovers to create easy opportunities. When forced into a half-court offense, they worked the ball to Latham and Janiah Barker for high-percentage looks. The Crimson Tide’s offensive struggles proved insurmountable. They shot just 35.6% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. While they won the battles for offensive rebounds (13-9), assists (8-3), steals (8-3), and blocks (8-4), they could not overcome poor shooting. Timmons led all scorers with 22 points but needed 19 shots to get there. Weathers added 11 points. Tennessee, by contrast, was more efficient. The Lady Volunteers shot 41.7% from the floor and 40% from deep. They were also nearly perfect from the free-throw line, making 12 of 14 attempts, including key ones down the stretch. Cooper led Tennessee with 16 points, while Latham and Zee Spearman each added 12. Pauldo provided a vital spark off the bench with 13 points, all from beyond the arc or the foul line. Barker contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. The most important part of the game was Tennessee’s second-quarter response. After being outplayed in the opening period, they flipped the script entirely with a 25-11 scoring advantage over those ten minutes. That stretch established the working margin that Alabama, with its anemic offensive output, spent the entire second half trying and failing to overcome. It showcased Tennessee’s ability to adjust and impose its will defensively, which proved to be the difference. With the win, Tennessee improved to 13-3 overall and 4-0 in the SEC. Alabama, which entered the game with a 17-2 record, fell to 3-2 in conference play. The Lady Volunteers will host Kentucky on Thursday, while Alabama will face Mississippi State next Sunday.

Lady Vols Visit Crimson Tide in SEC Showdown TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — A pivotal Southeastern Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Sunday when the Tennessee Lady Volunteers visit the fifth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. The matchup features two of the league’s hottest teams, with Alabama (17-2, 4-1 SEC) looking to rebound from its first conference loss and Tennessee (12-3, 4-0) aiming to protect its unblemished league record. The Crimson Tide fell 58-54 at Auburn on Thursday, snapping a three-game win streak. Tennessee enters on a four-game winning streak, including an 85-50 rout of Arkansas last Sunday. Alabama’s strength has been its consistent dominance, with its only losses coming on the road against then-South Carolina and Auburn. The Tide are led by guard Ta’Mia Scott, who averages 11.2 points per game. She scored 12 in the loss to Auburn and had a season-high 16 points against Arkansas on Jan. 4. Tennessee counters with a formidable frontcourt presence in forward Zee Spearman. Over her last six games, Spearman is averaging 13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest. She posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Florida on Jan. 1 and scored 20 points with eight rebounds against Arkansas. The Lady Vols have found their rhythm after a late-December loss at Louisville, with their current streak featuring wins by an average margin of 19.5 points. Guard Mia Pauldo, who scored 18 against Arkansas, provides backcourt balance. Alabama holds the superior overall record, but Tennessee brings momentum and an elite defense into the contest. The Crimson Tide will need to contain Spearman inside and improve offensive efficiency after shooting just 32.8% in the loss to Auburn. This game marks the start of a tough stretch for both teams. Tennessee faces a gauntlet that includes upcoming games against UConn, South Carolina and Texas. Alabama’s next month includes matchups with LSU, South Carolina and Texas. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.