Lady Vols Escape Belmont for 1st Sweet 16 Berth Since 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sara Puckett hit a 3-pointer with 17.5 seconds left to put Tennessee ahead to stay as the fourth-seeded Lady Vols held off neighbor Belmont 70-67 Monday night to advance to their first Sweet 16 since 2016. The Lady Vols improved to 23-1 on their home floor in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament. They earned the program’s 35th Sweet 16 berth in 40 tournaments. They will meet top-seeded Louisville on Saturday in the regional semifinal in Wichita, Kansas. Tennessee had to scrap for this win after blowing a 14-point lead in the third quarter. Belmont snapped a 13-game winning streak.