Kellie Harper, Sara Puckett reveal the key to more SEC Tournament wins after beating Kentucky

On Thursday, Tennessee halted Kentucky’s momentum with a 76-62 victory over the Wildcats on Day 2 of the SEC Tournament. Despite the final score, Tennessee didn’t always hold a comfortable lead.

At the halftime break, the Volunteers only had a two-point lead. After the game, Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper revealed her halftime message to the team.

“We told them to focus and make layups,” Kellie Harper said. “We were taking good shots. They were gonna go in. We just had to keep moving the basketball around. I’m just proud of our defense for hanging strong and giving us a chance.

“I’m really proud of this team,” Harper said. “I think they have confidence in not just themselves, but one another. And I think that’s important. It was a little janky today, but I thought our poise throughout was really good. It didn’t frustrate us to the point of lack of execution.”

Tennessee standout Rickea Jackson only played 17 minutes in today’s game due to foul trouble. For reference, Jackson averages 32.0 minutes per game this season. With Jackson unavailable for much of the game, Tennessee guard Sara Puckett stepped up.

The 6-foot-2 junior exploded for a game-high 22 points in the win, two points shy of her career-high. In the process, Puckett also added eight rebounds and three assists to the Volunteers’ winning effort. Puckett drained a career-high four 3s in the win.

Sara Puckett reveals the key for Tennessee moving forward

While Puckett was a dynamo on offense, she claims Tennessee won the game with its defense.

“We locked in on defense and we locked in on the second quarter, as well,” Puckett said. “We just transitioned that over and we just found each other, wherever it was on offense, and that’s just what worked for us.”

Puckett also revealed how Tennessee can defeat its next tournament foe: Alabama. Tennessee and Alabama last squared off on Feb. 8. The Crimson Tide walked away with a 72-56 victory. On Thursday, Puckett explained what will be the difference for the Vols this time around.

“Boards,” Puckett said. “That’s what won us this game and so that’s what’s gonna win us the next one. We got to focus in on that, especially on the free-throw line. But yeah, boards is what it’s going to come down to, and who wants it more.”

No. 5 seed Tennessee will face No. 4 seed Alabama at 2:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.