South Carolina women's basketball: Lady Vols want to play with confidence against Gamecocks
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Tennessee defeated Alabama 83-61 in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinal to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. The Volunteers will play undefeated South Carolina which holds the number one seed.
The two teams last played on March 3 in Columbia and Tennessee fell 68 to 76. Fifth-year Rickea Jackson led her team with 29 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
The Volunteers head coach, Kellie Harper, noted her team will play South Carolina for the third time in recent weeks.
“The scouting report is fresh on our minds,” Harper said. “We understand what we’re up against, we get it. We know how talented they are.”
Senior Jewel Spear had 24 points and went six for six from the three-point line in Tennessee’s win over the Crimson Tide. Jackson followed with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Spear said she thinks the strength of her team’s offense makes it more difficult for their opponents to guard them.
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“I feel like we’re definitely turning in the right direction, playing really good basketball on both ends of the floor,” Jackson said. “I feel like when we are all making shots like that, we’re just a dangerous team.”
Tennessee lost both of its regular season matchups against the Gamecocks, but Spear said the team’s defense has improved.
“I think the way we’ve played, hopefully we have some confidence going in and we can tweak some tings and give our players a game plan that they’re going to be excited about,” Harper said.
