COLUMBIA, S.C. – Rikea Jackson believes the Lady Vols are heading in the right direction heading into the postseason.
The Tennessee basketball team bounced back from a double-digit deficit on Sunday to make it a one-possession game late in the game against No. 1 and undefeated South Carolina after falling 76-68 at Colonial Life Arena. But the Lady Vols' star believes Tennessee (17-11, 10-6, Section 2) can challenge anyone — Tennessee has the pieces and the mentality. Now all you have to do is put a few more possessions to use.
“No one has ever beaten that team, and there's a reason for that, because they're really good,” Tennessee coach Kelly Harper said. “Every time we scored, they scored.”
Few teams have had as close a game as the undefeated Gamecocks (29-0, 17-0) and Lady Vols twice. Sunday was South Carolina's closest home win this season.
Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said Tennessee is starting to play its best basketball and is finding its groove offensively.
“I didn't think it was going to be an easy win. I thought it was going to be a tough game, as always,” Staley said. “At the end of the day, it was about getting some possessions…I think they’re in a great position to be in the NCAA Tournament.”
This is the last time Tennessee can pull off a mental victory, but Staley is right. The Lady Vols were a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. The SEC Tournament begins Thursday with No. 5 seed Tennessee hosting Kentucky (11-19) and Georgia (12-17) in Greenville, South Carolina, at approximately 2:30 p.m. ) (SEC Network).
Lady Vols found a way to play through Rikea Jackson
There were times this season, including in the fourth quarter against LSU, when Tennessee didn't play Jackson enough. But Harper has since made adjustments, resulting in 56 points from Jackson over the past two games.
Sunday, Jackson was able to get to the rim and get to the line, but he also found opportunities to hit mid-range jumpers. She made 11 of 23 shots and scored 10 of her points in the fourth quarter, when Tennessee was within three points with five minutes left. Jackson added eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal.
“She had great mentality throughout the game,” Harper said. “I know it wasn't easy, but I think she handled it really well.”
Harper felt she was able to move Jackson well against South Carolina, and the production from the Lady Vols' guards helped open up the floor.
“They do a great job of getting the ball into Rikea's hands and letting her make plays,” Staley said. “And she's on her delivery.”
Tennessee guard plays in big game
Jackson can't lead Tennessee to victory every game, and Tennessee's guards don't always perform in big SEC games. Jewel Spear was held scoreless in the first game against the Gamecocks, and Powell didn't shoot effectively against LSU and USC.
But the offense looked more balanced Sunday, with Spear and Powell combining for 24 points. Powell shot 42.9 percent to the free-throw line and helped spark an offensive attack that Speer was struggling with. For Spear, the difference Sunday was being more aggressive. She said playing for South Carolina for the first time in her career was “different.”
“I was able to watch them and see what they were going to do and how they were going to protect me. Just knowing what my expectations were going into the game made me feel better. I’m more confident,” Spear said.
Lady Vols showed mental strength in the fourth quarter.
South Carolina took control of the game and led by 15 points with 56 seconds left in the third quarter. However, Tennessee steadily scored four points and went on a 10-0 run after the third point.
Senior night:Rikea Jackson, Lady Vols basketball senior, had a picture-perfect home finale.
The Lady Vols got back into the game, something they weren't able to do last time out against the Shamcocks. Harper thought they continued to maintain their poise until the end, seeing a level of toughness “that we had hoped to reach” in the second.
“I think this says a lot about our team,” Jackson said. “I'm proud of how we were able to stay focused in the game. Any other team would have probably given up right away…but I feel like we just kept fighting. Masu.”
Cora Hall covers women's athletics at the University of Tennessee. Email cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow us on Twitter @corahall. If you enjoy Cora's coverage, please consider a digital subscription for full access.
