Tennessee is headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.
The Lady Vols, a fourth seed in the NCAA Tournament’s Wichita region, had a late rally to eliminate No. 12 Belmont (23-8) with a 70-67 victory Monday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee (25-8) led by 12 points at halftime.
The Lady Vols faced a late deficit until freshman Sara Puckett made a three-point shot and Tamari Key was successful in three of her four free throw attempts during the final 10 seconds.
Belmont entered the contest with a 13-game winning streak after winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and knocking off fifth-seeded Oregon in double overtime Saturday in Knoxville.
Tennessee’s Alexus Dye finished the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Key added 18 points, while Puckett scored 12.
The Lady Vols will face top-seeded Louisville on Saturday in Wichita, Kansas.
Belmont’s Destinee Wells scored a game-high 22 points. She also had six rebounds and four assists.
[vertical-gallery id=35402]