GAINESVILLE, FL - February 23, 2025 - Guard Jewel Spear #0 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
GO VOLS!!! The Lady Vols delivered a jaw-dropping performance on February 23, 2025, storming into Gainesville and handing the Florida Gators a humbling 86-78 defeat. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Tennessee’s women’s basketball team, ranked No. 15, silenced the Exactech Arena crowd with a second-half surge that flipped the script on a game that seemed to be slipping away. After trailing by nine at halftime, the Lady Vols unleashed a relentless 37-point third quarter, exposing Florida’s vulnerabilities and shattering their hopes of an upset.
The Gators strutted into the matchup with confidence, fresh off two straight wins and bolstered by a raucous home crowd. They dominated early, capitalizing on Tennessee’s sluggish 30% first-half shooting and building an 11-point lead in the second quarter. But the Lady Vols, led by the electric Talaysia Cooper with 18 points, flipped the switch after the break. Samara Spencer’s double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Zee Spearman’s clutch 16 points fueled a comeback that left Florida reeling. Tennessee’s high-pressure defense forced 21 Gator turnovers, turning miscues into a barrage of points that Florida simply couldn’t answer.
This stunning victory wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was a psychological gut punch to Florida’s inflated ego. The Gators, who outscored Tennessee 52-42 in the paint and grabbed a 47-42 rebounding edge, still couldn’t withstand the Lady Vols’ third-quarter onslaught. For Tennessee, this road win in the hostile SEC environment proves they’re peaking at the right time under coach Kim Caldwell. With two regular-season games left, the Lady Vols (21-6, 8-6 SEC) are riding a four-game win streak, sending a clear message: underestimate them at your peril. Florida’s dreams of a ranked win crumbled, and the Vols marched out of Gainesville victorious—pride intact, momentum soaring. GO VOLS!!!
