Rickea Jackson shines in Lady Vols basketball's first win after Jordan Horston injury

A grin crept across Rickea Jackson's face as she walked to the low block for a pair of UMass free throws.

The senior forward was whistled for a shooting foul, but it was a clean block and she knew it. After the free throws, Jackson sprinted down the floor and caught a pass at the wing. She drove to the basket, finished and got the call to boot.

Jackson converted the three-point play, fired up as she gave the Tennessee Lady Vols a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Jackson showed just how good she can be for Tennessee in its 74-65 win against UMass on Thursday at Thompson-Boling Arena. She had 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead the No. 4 Lady Vols to their first victory of the season.

Jackson's determination on the glass paid off for Tennessee (1-1) in the final 30 seconds of the game when UMass (1-1) made a late push. She was fouled three times and went 4-for-6 from the line to seal the win.

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Jordan Horston goes down in the second

The win was wasn't without a loss, though.

Jordan Horston drove along the baseline 30 seconds into the second quarter. She was met by UMass' Sydney Taylor stepping in front of her and Horston went down after the collision.

The senior starter was holding her left knee and had to be helped off the court. She wasn't putting any weight on her leg as she made her way to the locker room. Horston did not return after halftime.

Horston had five points, three rebounds and an assist in eight minutes in the first quarter.

Lady Vols give up too many offensive boards

UMass was out-rebounding Tennessee 32-29 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

Even worse, the Minutewomen had 14 offensive rebounds and nine second-chance points off them. At times, players were left completely alone with no one boxing them out.

Harper said at the beginning of the season the Lady Vols' rebounding wasn't where she wanted it to be. Giving up that many offensive rebounds when Tennessee had a size advantage is puzzling. A few were unlucky bounces, but many were a lack of urgency to box out and get in position.

UMass ended up out-rebounding Tennessee 49-45, and 22 of them were offensive.

Tennessee defense showed progress

Despite issues with rebounding and getting into a good offensive rhythm, the Lady Vols' defense showed signs of progress.

Tennessee held UMass to 31% shooting from the field and 27% from behind the arc. It also forced the Minutewomen into 17 turnovers, though it only scored eight points off of them.

Sam Breen, who scored 31 in UMass' first win, was held to 18 points.

Tamari Key shows up after short outing Tuesday

Tamari Key lasted two minutes in Tuesday's loss before she went to the bench with two fouls.

The senior center played only 13 minutes against No. 15 Ohio State and had eight points and three rebounds. On Thursday, Key made an impact with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 20 minutes.

Her presence in the paint, especially on the glass, was needed without Horston, who led the team in rebounding last season.

Up next

Tennessee is back at Thompson-Boling Arena to face No. 11 Indiana on Monday (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2).