GREENVILLE — In their first postseason game of the year, the Lady Vols basketball team survived and advanced.
Tennessee, however, did not look like it would beat anybody early, not even 11th-seeded Missouri.
The Lady Vols (21-9) did prevail, 64-51, over Missouri, ending the Tigers’ season and moving on to the quarterfinals and a date with third-seeded Kentucky Friday night at 8:35 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
But this one was ugly for the sixth-seeded Lady Vols, who trailed by as many as 13 points and were down 34-26 at halftime.
Things took a dramatic turn after halftime as the Tigers (9-22) scored just 17 points after the break.
Tennessee surrendered just six points in the third stanza and closed the frame on a 14-0 run.
UT opened a 50-40 advantage early in the fourth quarter and never looked back.
The Lady Vols got 16 points and four rebounds from Rae Burrell. Rennia Davis scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored 13 points and grabbed seven boards, marking the first time that she posted double figures in the scoring column since she dropped 15 points in UT’s 92-51 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in November.
The Lady Vols will look to avenge a regular-season loss to the Wildcats in Lexington Friday night. Kentucky (21-7) outlasted Tennessee 80-76 in January.