The Lady Vols were unstoppable. On a warm, sun-kissed Saturday afternoon in West Palm Beach, they took to the court with an intensity that mirrored the shimmering Florida sun. They were a force—unified, focused, and determined to preserve their undefeated record. The West Palm Beach Classic had become a showcase for their undeniable dominance in college basketball, and Tulsa, their latest challenger, was about to experience it firsthand.
From the opening tip, the Lady Vols set the tone. With a sharp pass from point guard, Jasmine Green, the ball found its way to senior forward, Kayla Turner, who wasted no time sinking a three-pointer. The crowd erupted in approval, but the Lady Vols remained unflinching in their approach. There was no room for complacency; every game was an opportunity to prove why they had yet to taste defeat this season.
Tulsa, no slouch in their own right, tried to respond. They had their moments, with quick, agile plays and a defensive tenacity that momentarily slowed the Lady Vols’ attack. But Tennessee’s defense, ranked among the best in the nation, was suffocating. Guards like Mia Taylor, known for her relentless on-ball pressure, shut down Tulsa’s key players, forcing them into rushed shots and turnovers. The Lady Vols’ defensive rebounding was a thing of beauty, with 6-foot-4 center, Brooke Williams, anchoring the paint like a wall. Every time Tulsa seemed to gain a sliver of momentum, Tennessee slammed the door shut, leaving them no room to breathe.
Halfway through the first quarter, Tulsa found themselves trailing by double digits. Their frustration was palpable as they struggled to break through Tennessee’s suffocating defense. Coach Jones, a master strategist, had designed his team’s game plan to perfection. Every screen, every cut, every pass was deliberate, intended to exploit Tulsa’s weaknesses while maximizing the Lady Vols’ strengths. Turner’s shooting was sharp, Mia Taylor’s assists were fluid, and Williams’ presence in the post was unmatched.
The second quarter saw the Lady Vols further stretch their lead. Turnovers were causing chaos for Tulsa, as Tennessee capitalized on fast breaks, transitioning from defense to offense with the fluidity of a well-oiled machine. The team’s chemistry was undeniable—each player knew exactly where their teammate would be, each pass was a step towards a potential score. By halftime, Tennessee was up by 20, with no sign of slowing down. The bench players were in, contributing valuable minutes, maintaining the pressure, and keeping the tempo high.
Tulsa, though outmatched, showed moments of fight. Their star player, Avery Davis, managed to sink a pair of tough baskets, but it was clear the Lady Vols were too deep, too skilled, and too relentless to be undone. By the time the third quarter rolled around, Tennessee’s lead was insurmountable. Coach Harper,