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Caldwell Eyes Improvement Despite Lady Vols' 3-0 SEC Start
9 Jan
Summary
- Lady Vols defeated Mississippi State 90-80, maintaining a 3-0 conference record.
- Coach Kim Caldwell expressed concerns regarding the team's rebounding and defense.
- Freshman Mia Pauldo scored a career-high 26 points in the victory.
The No. 20 Tennessee Lady Volunteers secured a crucial 90-80 conference victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on January 9, 2026. This win propelled their Southeastern Conference record to a perfect 3-0, marking a strong start to their 2025-26 season.
Despite the undefeated conference standing, Head Coach Kim Caldwell identified significant areas needing improvement. She specifically noted concerns with the team's rebounding, stating it was an area where they struggled in this game and in previous matchups. Defensive lapses and an increase in turnovers were also highlighted as key issues that plagued the team, allowing opponents to go on scoring runs.
Freshman Mia Pauldo emerged as a game-changer, scoring a career-high 26 points, with significant contributions from Janiah Barker (18 points) and 14 points each from Talaysia Cooper and Zee Spearman. Even with Mississippi State winning the rebounding battle 37-35, Tennessee's offensive efficiency and strong shooting performance secured the win. The Lady Vols, now 11-3 overall, will face Arkansas next, aiming to balance their scoring prowess with improved discipline and consistency.
