Tennessee Women’s Basketball suffers an upset by Georgia, struggling with poor shooting performance that hindered their chances for victory.

The Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team has long been one of the most successful and storied programs in college basketball. With a rich tradition of excellence, the Lady Vols are no strangers to high expectations and championship aspirations. However, the team’s recent upset at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs stands as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. On this occasion, Tennessee was plagued by poor shooting, a problem that derailed what many had hoped would be a routine victory. The loss, a surprising turn of events, highlighted the team’s offensive struggles and raised questions about how they can adjust moving forward.

This article will break down the factors leading to Tennessee’s upset against Georgia, focusing on the poor shooting performance, the team’s offensive woes, and what this loss means for the Lady Vols as they continue their season. Additionally, it will explore how they can bounce back from this defeat, improve their play, and work toward regaining their momentum as they prepare for future matchups.

A Tough Game for Tennessee

From the outset of the game, it was clear that something was off for the Lady Vols. Despite being favored heavily against Georgia, Tennessee found themselves struggling to get into any sort of offensive rhythm. Georgia, known for their gritty defense and tough-minded approach, set the tone early by limiting Tennessee’s scoring opportunities and forcing the Lady Vols into difficult shots. What followed was an intense game in which Tennessee was never able to find their stride, ultimately losing the game in a disappointing fashion.

For a team that has typically relied on its offensive firepower, the shooting performance on this day was a glaring issue. Throughout the contest, Tennessee’s shooting percentage was abysmal, with multiple key players unable to make shots from the field or beyond the three-point line. The Lady Vols shot well below their season averages, contributing to their downfall and making it difficult for them to stay competitive against Georgia.

A Look at the Shooting Struggles

One of the defining aspects of Tennessee’s loss to Georgia was their poor shooting. As the game progressed, it became apparent that the Lady Vols were unable to hit shots consistently, and this severely hindered their ability to execute their offense. With an offense that usually operates around quick ball movement, penetration, and knocking down open shots, Tennessee’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities was a huge issue.

The shooting struggles were most evident in the first half, where Tennessee could not find any offensive rhythm. The Lady Vols shot just 35% from the field in the opening half, including a poor 3-for-14 performance from three-point range. With such a high reliance on perimeter shooting, especially from their top guards and wings, Tennessee’s poor shooting performance from beyond the arc was a major factor in Georgia’s ability to keep the game close and eventually take control.

Tennessee’s shooting woes continued in the second half, and even though they made some adjustments, their offensive struggles proved insurmountable. Throughout the game, they failed to generate any significant runs, and every time they appeared to be on the brink of finding momentum, a missed shot or turnover seemed to halt their progress.

Key Players Struggling

The shooting struggles were not confined to any one player but rather spread across the roster. Players who have been reliable scorers for Tennessee all season long simply could not get their shots to fall when it mattered most. Key players like Jordan Horston, Tess Darby, and Jillian Hollingshead—who have all been significant contributors to Tennessee’s offensive production—found themselves frustrated by Georgia’s defense and their own lack of shooting accuracy.

Horston, one of the team’s primary scoring threats and playmakers, finished the game with a modest point total and shot poorly from the field. Her shooting struggles were particularly disappointing given her role as a leader for the team. As one of Tennessee’s best players, she was expected to step up in key moments and carry the load offensively. Instead, she was held in check by Georgia’s defense, which did a great job of contesting her shots and limiting her opportunities to make an impact on the game.

Tess Darby, a key perimeter shooter for Tennessee, also had an off night. Darby, who is typically a consistent three-point threat, couldn’t find her range and ended up having one of her most inefficient games of the season. Darby’s inability to knock down shots from long range put more pressure on the rest of the team, as they needed to find alternative ways to score.

Similarly, Hollingshead, who has been reliable inside, had difficulty finishing around the basket and struggled to establish an offensive presence. When Tennessee couldn’t rely on their key players to produce, it was even more difficult for the team to generate any momentum against a determined Georgia squad.

Georgia’s Defense: The Key to the Upset

While Tennessee’s poor shooting was undoubtedly the main factor in the loss, it would be remiss to ignore the excellent defense put forth by the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia is known for their tough, physical brand of basketball, and on this day, they were relentless in their efforts to stifle Tennessee’s offense.

The Bulldogs consistently pressured the ball, contested shots, and forced Tennessee to play at an uncomfortable pace. Their defense was especially effective at limiting open looks from the three-point line, one of Tennessee’s primary sources of offense. As a result, the Lady Vols were forced to rely on contested mid-range shots and difficult drives to the basket, both of which played into Georgia’s hands.

Additionally, Georgia’s ability to disrupt Tennessee’s ball movement played a key role in the upset. The Lady Vols, who typically thrive on fast, fluid offensive sets, were unable to get into their rhythm against the Bulldogs’ defense. With Tennessee’s offense constantly under pressure, Georgia was able to force multiple turnovers and create scoring opportunities on the other end. Georgia’s defensive efficiency was a major reason they were able to stay in the game and eventually pull off the upset.

Coaching Adjustments: What Went Wrong?

While Tennessee’s players deserve much of the blame for the loss, it’s also worth examining the coaching adjustments—or lack thereof—that contributed to the team’s struggles. Head coach Kellie Harper, who has enjoyed significant success with the Lady Vols, was unable to get her team to adjust effectively during the game.

One area where Tennessee failed to adapt was in their shooting approach. When it became clear that they were struggling from the outside, Harper didn’t make any major adjustments to their offensive game plan. The Lady Vols continued to rely on the three-point shot, even as it became evident that it wasn’t falling. Tennessee had opportunities to adjust their offensive strategy, perhaps focusing more on driving to the basket or running more off-ball motion to create better shooting lanes. Unfortunately, these changes never came, and the team found themselves stuck in a frustrating offensive rut.

Moreover, Tennessee’s reliance on their key players to carry the load offensively backfired. When players like Horston and Darby couldn’t get going, there weren’t enough secondary options to step up and shoulder the burden. The Lady Vols’ lack of depth in terms of scoring options was exposed, and while Harper is a skilled coach, the team’s inability to adjust in real-time was a major issue.

Looking Ahead: How Tennessee Can Bounce Back

While the loss to Georgia was a disappointing result for Tennessee, it doesn’t define their season. The Lady Vols have plenty of time to recover and refocus as they head into the final stretch of the season. For Tennessee to bounce back from this upset, they will need to address several key areas:

1. Offensive Adjustments

The most obvious area for improvement is Tennessee’s shooting. The Lady Vols need to focus on generating better shot selection, especially when their perimeter shooting isn’t falling. They must learn to adjust their offensive game plan on the fly, creating more opportunities for easy baskets and getting to the free-throw line. Working on ball movement, spacing, and offensive flow will be key for Harper and her staff.

2. Depth and Scoring Balance

Tennessee cannot continue to rely solely on a few players to carry the offense. The Lady Vols need to develop more scoring balance across the roster. Players like Jasmine Powell and Sara Puckett must be ready to step up and contribute more offensively. The team needs to diversify its offensive attack to prevent opposing defenses from focusing on a limited number of players.

3. Defensive Focus

Despite the shooting struggles, Tennessee’s defense remained solid throughout much of the game against Georgia. However, they need to continue to fine-tune their defensive schemes to ensure they don’t fall into the same trap they did against Georgia, where they couldn’t get enough stops to make up for their offensive woes. Tennessee’s defense will need to remain consistent, particularly as the competition stiffens in the coming weeks.