AUBURN, Ala. (release) -- The seventh-ranked Tennessee women's basketball team opened the new year and SEC play with a 73-52 win against Auburn on Sunday afternoon at Auburn Arena, marking UT's 34th consecutive SEC win dating back to the 2009-10 season.
After a close first half that saw the Lady Vols (9-3, 1-0) take a 31-29 lead into the locker room, UT scored the initial nine points of the second half and never allowed the margin to get smaller than seven.

After the Tigers (8-6, 0-1) cut the deficit to 53-46 with 7:59 remaining, the Lady Vols again scored nine consecutive points in part of a 20-6 run to close the game.

Tennessee boasted four players in double-figures, led by 20 from Meighan Simmons. Shekinna Stricklen (17), Glory Johnson (14) and Alicia Manning (10) also reached double-figures.

Johnson recorded her second straight double-double and fifth of the season, also pulling down 13 rebounds.

The Lady Vols return to action at Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET against UT Chattanooga.