DULUTH, Ga. – Meighan Simmons scored 20 points and Tennessee turned back Florida's late rally to beat the Gators 82-73 on Friday, extending the Lady Vols' winning streak in the Southeastern Conference tournament.
No. 9 Tennessee (24-6), the three-time defending champion, has won 10 straight games in the tournament since its loss to Auburn in the 2009 semifinals.
The Lady Vols will face the South Carolina-Texas A&M winner in Saturday's first semifinal.
Sydney Moss led Florida (18-14) with a career-high 22 points. Moss had a steal and basket with 49 seconds remaining to cut Tennessee's lead to 75-69 — the Lady Vols' smallest lead of the half.
Ariel Massengale and Simmons each made two free throws in the final 43 seconds. Taber Spani missed a one-and-one free throw with 30 seconds remaining, and Jaterra Bonds missed a layup for Florida.
Spani made three free throws in the final 16 seconds.
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