KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee was close to a season-defining win on Sunday, but it couldn't find a score on its last possession. The Lady Vols lost to Texas, 65-63, in yet another example of failing to clear the final hurdle.
The No. 22 Lady Vols had been accused by head coach Kim Caldwell of quitting, and that did not happen in the loss when Tennessee went down 14 early or were trailing by 10 with five minutes to go.
Tennessee still kept up some of its old habits which contributed to the loss. The Lady Vols turned the ball over 23 times, only forcing 17 for Texas. The Longhorns also lived at the foul line as 25 fouls committed by Tennessee led to 23 free throw attempts for Texas. The lost possessions and opportunities at the free throw line given up by the Lady Vols proved to be the difference.
“We fouled them way too many times," Caldwell said. "...To me, that’s what the basketball game is.”
Tennessee found leadership in key moments, cutting deficits when Texas threatened to pull away. A much better defensive shift stopped bleeding compared to when the game got out of hand against South Carolina.
Talaysia Cooper was Tennessee's best scoring threat both with volume and efficiency, going 12-for-19 for 29 points in the loss. Janiah Barker and Nya Robertson reached double digit scoring, and as a team Tennessee shot a much-improved 45% from the field.
Unlike games earlier this season, Tennessee responded to pressure. The Lady Vols met a first-half Texas lead with a 10-0 run to close the first half. Late in the game, a 9-0 run brought Tennessee within one and made the end of the game a true contest.
These moments are what the Lady Vols must have to find success later in the season. Tennessee found the fight but did not find the finish.
“I think we got a wake-up call," Caldwell said. "I think they’re awake now. I think we’ll see a different team. Again, we’re going to continue to be on them."
The Lady Vols do not have time to dwell on the loss. Tennessee travels to No. 14 Ole Miss on Tuesday for a game postponed due to weather and returns to Knoxville for a Thursday meeting with Texas A&M. Outside of the SEC Tournament, this stretch will be Tennessee's most congested of the season.
While Tuesday's game is a challenge on short rest, it gives the Lady Vols the opportunity to take its emotions from losing out on another opponent.
"We need to be mad about it," Caldwell said. "We don’t need to be sad, we don’t need to be pouty, we don’t need to listen to anything other than, ‘Hey, we’re mad, and this is what we need to fix.' We need to take our anger out in our next game."
Sunday's loss to Texas was not the full step the Lady Vols were looking to take at home, but it was progress. With five regular-season games to go, it's on Tennessee to prove this is progress and not a flash in the pan.
Tuesday's makeup game at Ole Miss is imperative to win. The Rebels are coming off a 17-point loss to Kentucky. After Texas A&M at home Thursday, the Lady Vols host No. 10 Oklahoma next Sunday.