Lady Vols Bounce Back With Dominant Win Over Missouri

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell praises team's response after South Carolina loss

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team bounced back in a big way on Thursday, dismantling Missouri 98-53 at home. The game marked the return of former Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper, who is now the head coach of the Missouri Tigers. After the game, Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell met with the media and discussed her team's response following the loss to South Carolina, their focus on playing a full 40 minutes, and the leadership shown by various players.

Why it matters

The Lady Vols needed to rebound quickly after a disappointing loss to South Carolina, and this dominant win over Missouri shows they were able to do just that. Caldwell's comments highlight the team's renewed focus and determination, which will be crucial as they prepare to face a tough opponent in Texas.

The details

Tennessee came out strong, sharing the ball, attacking the rim, and playing solid defense. Caldwell was pleased that the team maintained its intensity for the full 40 minutes and didn't let up despite the large lead. She singled out the performance of Janiah Barker, who played with great energy on both ends of the floor. The coach also praised the leadership shown by several players, including the honest accountability from senior Zee Spearman.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Kim Caldwell

The head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

Kellie Harper

The head coach of the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team, and a former head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols.

Janiah Barker

A player for the Tennessee Lady Vols who had one of her best defensive performances of the season.

Zee Spearman

A senior player for the Tennessee Lady Vols who provided strong leadership and accountability following the team's previous loss.

Alyssa

A player for the Tennessee Lady Vols who provided quiet but impactful leadership during the game.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted a response. I think this is a good start. We have to continue it. It's going to just keep getting harder and harder, too.”

— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach, Tennessee Lady Vols (rockytopinsider.com)

“She basically said, 'This is what it looks like. This is what it looks like, whether you think you're doing it or not, this is what it looks like. We have to quit doing it.' And she thinks we quit, and it looks like we quit. We're gonna have to fix it.”

— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach, Tennessee Lady Vols (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

The Lady Vols will need to carry this momentum into their upcoming matchup against the Texas Longhorns, which Caldwell expects will be a physical and challenging game. The team is still awaiting an update on the status of injured player Mia Pauldo.

The takeaway

This dominant win over Missouri shows that the Tennessee Lady Vols were able to quickly regroup and respond after their previous loss. The team's renewed focus and leadership, particularly from veteran players like Zee Spearman, will be crucial as they continue their push towards the postseason.