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Volunteers Make An Emphatic Statement

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Tennessee's Wayne Chism and his teammates celebrate their win over Alabama to advance to the semifinals.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2009

TAMPA - The Tennessee Volunteers do not have a distinguished history at the SEC Tournament.

The Vols haven't won the event since 1979. And prior to Friday night, the program had lost seven of its previous nine SEC Tournament games.

So naturally, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl was pleased with the emphatic statement made by his team - an 86-62 victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide that propelled the Vols into today's semifinals.

"We were focused," Pearl said.

"I'm glad our fans didn't have to go home tonight."

Instead, the Vols (20-11) were awaiting the winner of Friday's late-night quarterfinal between Florida and Auburn.

In today's other semifinal, LSU (26-6), the league's regular-season champion, will meet Mississippi State (21-12).

LSU handled Kentucky 67-58 in the early game, then Mississippi State toppled South Carolina 82-68.

LSU's Marcus Thornton, the SEC Player of the Year, had 21 points to pace the Tigers. Mississippi State placed four players in double figures, led by Barry Stewart's 21 points.

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