The Tennessee Lady Vols advance in the SEC Tournament after defeating Texas A&M.

The 2025 SEC Tournament was a crucial moment in the Tennessee Lady Vols’ basketball season. Having faced a mixture of ups and downs throughout the regular season, the Lady Vols needed to make a statement in the tournament. With the NCAA Tournament looming on the horizon, every game in the SEC Tournament mattered—not just for securing a better seeding but for building momentum and restoring confidence. When the Lady Vols took on Texas A&M in their quarterfinal matchup, it wasn’t just a game—it was a defining moment that would determine how their postseason journey would unfold.

The victory over Texas A&M marked a significant step forward for Tennessee, as they secured a crucial win that propelled them into the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The game was a showcase of grit, resilience, and smart coaching decisions, as Tennessee overcame adversity in a tightly contested matchup. Led by their star players and supported by a collective effort from the entire team, the Lady Vols fought their way to a hard-earned victory. Let’s take a deeper look at how Tennessee advanced in the SEC Tournament after defeating Texas A&M, and what it meant for the team moving forward.

The Stage: A Must-Win Game for the Lady Vols

Entering the SEC Tournament, the Tennessee Lady Vols were riding a wave of mixed results. While they had shown flashes of brilliance during the regular season, they had also struggled with consistency, especially in key matchups. In the cutthroat world of college basketball, especially within the competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), every game had an enormous impact on the team’s trajectory.

Tennessee had one main goal: to secure a strong finish in the SEC Tournament that would not only boost their seeding in the NCAA Tournament but also give them the confidence they needed to make a deep run. A win over Texas A&M was critical to that mission. Texas A&M, while not having the same stature as some of the other top teams in the SEC, still had the ability to pull off upsets, especially when it came to tournament play. The Aggies boasted a tough and physical style of play, and their defense had the potential to stifle even the most dynamic offenses.

For the Lady Vols, this game would require them to rise to the occasion. Despite their inconsistency, Tennessee was still one of the most talented teams in the SEC, and they had the tools necessary to make a deep run. The key would be to focus on what made them successful earlier in the season—defense, strong rebounding, and balanced scoring—and to ensure that their leaders stepped up when it mattered most.

Key Players Stepping Up for Tennessee

As expected, the Lady Vols’ victory over Texas A&M was fueled by standout performances from key players. Jordan Horston, the heart and soul of Tennessee’s offense, played a pivotal role in this game. The senior guard had been struggling with injuries and inconsistency in recent weeks, but she turned in one of her best performances of the season when her team needed it most. Horston’s leadership on and off the court was invaluable, and her ability to both score and facilitate was a driving force behind Tennessee’s offensive success.

Throughout the game, Horston demonstrated her ability to score in a variety of ways—whether it was knocking down mid-range jumpers, driving to the basket, or creating opportunities for her teammates. With Texas A&M applying relentless pressure on defense, Horston’s composure was critical. She finished the game with 18 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, contributing across the board and setting the tone for Tennessee’s offensive attack.

Another key player for Tennessee was Tamari Key, the team’s star center, who had been an imposing presence on both ends of the floor all season. In this matchup against Texas A&M, Key’s rebounding and shot-blocking were crucial in limiting the Aggies’ second-chance opportunities. Her defensive presence altered several Texas A&M shot attempts, and her ability to protect the rim gave Tennessee a significant advantage in the paint. On offense, Key’s size and strength in the post were difficult for Texas A&M to handle, as she finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The play of Rickea Jackson, Tennessee’s explosive forward, was also a major factor in the team’s victory. Jackson, known for her ability to score in a variety of ways, provided the Lady Vols with a much-needed scoring burst at critical moments. Her mid-range game was on point, and she was able to drive to the basket and draw fouls. Jackson’s ability to get to the free-throw line and convert during pressure moments helped Tennessee maintain control throughout the game. She finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds, providing an additional offensive punch alongside Horston and Key.

Tennessee’s depth was also key in this victory, as players like Jasmine Powell and Mykia James contributed valuable minutes off the bench. Powell’s steady ball handling and ability to facilitate the offense provided a calming influence when the game got tense, while James added a spark with her speed and athleticism, particularly on the defensive end.

The Game: A Defensive Battle

From the opening tip, it was clear that this would be a defensive battle. Texas A&M is known for its physical and aggressive defensive style, and the Aggies made life difficult for Tennessee’s offensive players. They applied full-court pressure, disrupted passing lanes, and made it tough for the Lady Vols to get into their offensive sets. However, Tennessee’s defense was up to the challenge.

Tennessee’s defensive effort was led by Tamari Key, who controlled the paint and blocked multiple shot attempts, preventing Texas A&M from establishing any rhythm inside. Key’s ability to alter shots and grab rebounds allowed the Lady Vols to limit the Aggies’ scoring opportunities. On the perimeter, the Lady Vols were active in passing lanes, forcing turnovers and preventing Texas A&M from getting easy looks from outside. Their defensive intensity set the tone for the game, and it was clear that Tennessee was not going to let their opponent dictate the pace.

Despite the defensive battle, Tennessee’s offense began to find its rhythm as the game wore on. The Lady Vols utilized their ball movement and spacing to create open shots, and Horston and Jackson were able to score in a variety of ways. As the game progressed, Texas A&M’s defense began to show signs of fatigue, allowing Tennessee to exploit mismatches and get high-percentage shots.

The Aggies were never out of the game, and they fought hard to stay competitive. Texas A&M’s leading scorer, Sydney Bowles, was relentless, putting up 14 points, but her efforts were not enough to overcome the Lady Vols’ defensive pressure and offensive execution. The Aggies managed to stay within striking distance for much of the game, but they struggled to keep up with Tennessee’s balanced scoring and ability to hit timely shots.

As the final buzzer sounded, Tennessee emerged victorious with a 72-61 win, securing their place in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Lady Vols had weathered the storm, fought through adversity, and proven that they had the ability to adjust when things weren’t going their way.

The Significance of the Victory

The win over Texas A&M was significant for several reasons. First, it gave Tennessee a much-needed confidence boost heading into the next round of the SEC Tournament. After struggling with inconsistency in the regular season, the Lady Vols had answered the call when it mattered most. The victory also reinforced the importance of their key players stepping up and showing leadership. Horston, Key, and Jackson were at their best, demonstrating why Tennessee had the potential to be one of the top teams in the country.

Furthermore, the win solidified Tennessee’s position as a legitimate contender in the SEC Tournament. While the team had been inconsistent, this victory proved that they were capable of competing with some of the best teams in the conference. With the SEC semifinals on the horizon, the Lady Vols now had the momentum they needed to continue their tournament run.

This victory also served as a reminder of the importance of defense in tournament play. Tennessee’s defensive effort in this game was the key to their success. They had locked down Texas A&M, preventing them from getting easy baskets and forcing them into difficult shooting situations. In March, defense often wins championships, and the Lady Vols had shown that they were capable of playing at an elite level on that end of the floor.

Looking Ahead: The NCAA Tournament

As the Lady Vols advanced to the SEC semifinals, the focus shifted to the next challenge. The win over Texas A&M had set the stage for what would be an exciting finish to the SEC Tournament, but it also had larger implications for the NCAA Tournament. With the victory, Tennessee solidified its resume and boosted its chances of receiving a favorable seeding in the NCAA Tournament. More importantly, they showed that they were capable of playing their best basketball when it mattered most.

As Tennessee prepares for the upcoming challenges in the NCAA Tournament, the victory over Texas A&M will serve as a key moment of growth and redemption. The Lady Vols had faced adversity, but they had come together to secure a crucial win. This win, paired with their talent and experience, made them a team to watch as they headed into the madness of March. If they could continue to build on this momentum, the Lady Vols had the potential to make a deep run and compete for a national championship.

For now, though, the focus remained on the next game—another chance to prove themselves on a national stage.