The Lady Vols dominate the NCAA Tournament with a powerful second-quarter surge, outscoring their opponents and seizing control with relentless defense and efficient offense.

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is a stage where elite teams and standout players show their true potential, often in dramatic fashion. For the Tennessee Lady Vols, their 2025 tournament run will be remembered for their decisive second-quarter surge in several key matchups, a period during which they demonstrated why they are considered one of the most dominant teams in the country. This remarkable stretch of play highlighted Tennessee’s blend of suffocating defense, rapid transitions, and efficient offense, setting the tone for their eventual tournament success.

In this article, we will break down the Lady Vols’ defining second-quarter performance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, analyzing the key moments, strategic adjustments, and standout individual performances that allowed them to seize control of games during the critical middle period of their matchups.

Setting the Stage: Tennessee’s Tournament Outlook

Entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Tennessee Lady Vols were one of the top-ranked teams in the country. Under head coach Kellie Harper, Tennessee had been on a roll throughout the season, showcasing a defense-first mentality paired with a balanced offensive attack. Their success in the regular season and the SEC Tournament had established them as a legitimate contender for the national title, but the real challenge lay ahead in the tournament’s single-elimination format.

Tennessee’s roster was stacked with talent, including dynamic players like Jordan Horston, Rickea Jackson, and Tamari Key, who brought a combination of size, skill, and leadership to the team. Horston, in particular, was one of the nation’s top all-around players, capable of impacting the game in every aspect — from scoring to rebounding to defending. Jackson’s offensive firepower was another key weapon, while Key’s rim protection and presence in the paint made Tennessee a force defensively.

As the Lady Vols entered the tournament, their game plan was clear: lockdown defense, quick transitions, and efficient scoring. However, what would ultimately separate Tennessee from the competition was their ability to turn up the intensity in the second quarter of games, a period that became their signature moment throughout the tournament.

The Importance of the Second Quarter: Momentum Shift

In basketball, momentum is a powerful force, and the second quarter is often where a team can either seize control of the game or let it slip away. For Tennessee, the second quarter of their NCAA Tournament games became a period of dominance, a time when they put their stamp on the matchup with an intensity and execution level that their opponents struggled to match.

Relentless Defense: Stifling the Opposition

One of the defining aspects of Tennessee’s second-quarter surge was their defense. Known for their full-court press and aggressive defensive schemes, the Lady Vols often turned up the heat in the second period. This was a critical time when their defensive rotations and high-pressure defense stifled their opponents, forcing turnovers and difficult shots.

In their first-round matchup, Tennessee’s defense came alive after a tightly contested first quarter. They began the second period with a relentless press, forcing their opponent to commit several turnovers. Whether it was a quick trap in the backcourt or a well-timed steal, the Lady Vols’ defense created opportunities for easy fast-break points. Tamari Key, the 6-foot-6 center, was a key figure in this surge, dominating the paint with shot blocks and altering even the most well-executed plays. Her presence in the middle gave Tennessee’s guards the freedom to pressure ball handlers on the perimeter.

The defense didn’t just stop at forcing turnovers. Tennessee’s defensive rotations were quick and decisive, and they contested nearly every shot taken in the second quarter. As a result, their opponents were forced to settle for contested mid-range shots or rushed three-pointers that rarely found the mark. In games where they needed a momentum shift, the Lady Vols often used this smothering defense to not only stop their opponents but to generate fast-break points and build a lead that proved insurmountable.

Fast Breaks and Transition Offense: Speeding Up the Game

Once Tennessee turned up the defensive pressure, they immediately capitalized on the turnovers by pushing the ball in transition. In the second quarter of nearly every game, Tennessee turned defensive stops into fast-break opportunities, leaving their opponents scrambling to get back in transition. With players like Jordan Horston and Rickea Jackson, Tennessee was able to push the pace, outrunning slower defenders and getting easy layups before their opponents could reset.

Horston, in particular, excelled in transition. Her ability to grab a rebound, push the ball up the court, and make plays for her teammates was one of the key factors in Tennessee’s second-quarter dominance. Whether it was a slick pass to Jackson on the wing for an open three-pointer or a fast break of her own, Horston’s court vision and speed were on full display. Jackson, with her athleticism and scoring ability, made sure that Tennessee converted most of these transition opportunities into points.

Tennessee’s ability to shift gears from a grind-it-out, half-court game into an up-tempo, transition style of play was a game-changer. Their ability to stretch the floor with quick passes and sharp cuts created easy scoring chances and rattled their opponents’ defense. The second-quarter surge was often powered by these fast-break points, and once the Lady Vols were able to establish their fast-paced offense, the game began to slip away from their opponents.

Efficient Offense: Scoring from Multiple Sources

While Tennessee’s defense and transition offense were key to their second-quarter dominance, their ability to score efficiently in this period was equally important. In the second quarter, the Lady Vols’ offense became more fluid and cohesive. They moved the ball effectively, looking for open shots both inside and beyond the arc, and they took advantage of mismatches created by their defensive pressure.

Rickea Jackson, in particular, played a pivotal role in Tennessee’s offensive execution. Jackson’s scoring ability was on full display as she found ways to exploit openings in the defense, whether it was driving past defenders or knocking down mid-range jump shots. Her ability to score in a variety of ways kept opposing defenses on their heels, unable to focus on one particular area of her game. Jackson’s versatility and basketball IQ allowed her to take advantage of second-quarter opportunities, often finding herself in perfect spots to score.

Jordan Horston also continued to shine in the second quarter, contributing not only as a scorer but as a playmaker. Her ability to get into the lane and either finish at the rim or create open shots for her teammates made her a dual threat. Tennessee’s offensive balance, with both inside and outside scoring options, became evident as the second quarter wore on. This offensive fluidity allowed them to pull away from their opponents and set the tone for the rest of the game.

Key Players in the Second-Quarter Surge

While Tennessee’s team defense and offensive execution were integral to their second-quarter success, it was the individual performances of key players that took the Lady Vols to the next level.

Tamari Key, Tennessee’s imposing center, was a game-changer in the second quarter. Her shot-blocking ability altered the game on both ends of the floor. Key was not only a physical presence in the paint but also had an excellent feel for positioning and timing. Her ability to shut down the post and contest shots allowed Tennessee to dominate the defensive end, setting up fast-break opportunities for their guards.

Jordan Horston, the leader on and off the court, controlled the flow of the game in the second quarter. Whether distributing the ball or creating her own shot, Horston’s leadership was critical to Tennessee’s ability to dictate the pace of play. Her all-around performance, combining scoring, rebounding, and defense, helped Tennessee gain the upper hand in each second-quarter surge.

Rickea Jackson proved to be the offensive catalyst, filling the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists. Her ability to score efficiently in the second quarter, along with her knack for making clutch shots, helped Tennessee extend their lead and put pressure on their opponents. Jackson’s offensive output in this critical period was one of the main reasons Tennessee was able to blow games wide open during the tournament.

The Lady Vols’ Second-Quarter Dominance as a Championship Formula

The Tennessee Lady Vols’ second-quarter surge in the 2025 NCAA Tournament was a defining characteristic of their run to the championship. This period of dominance highlighted their defensive tenacity, offensive efficiency, and ability to execute in high-pressure moments. Whether it was stifling their opponents with a relentless defense, pushing the pace in transition, or executing in the half-court, Tennessee’s second-quarter performances were key to their success.

This surge wasn’t just about scoring more points — it was about setting the tone and forcing their opponents to adjust to Tennessee’s tempo. By the time the second quarter ended, most teams found themselves on their heels, unable to recover from the Lady Vols’ onslaught. As they advanced through the tournament, it became clear that their ability to control the game in these critical moments would make them a formidable force.

For Tennessee, the second-quarter surge became a symbol of their championship aspirations. It was a time when they asserted their dominance and proved why they were among the best in the country. If the Lady Vols can continue to build on this momentum and execute at such a high level, they could very well claim their next NCAA championship.