40 minutes of energy : govolsxtra.com

NASHVILLE - A reminder about last season's SEC women's basketball tournament got Tennessee going in this year's event.

And going and going and going.

Manhattan native Shannon Bobbitt set a New York-minute pace and the second-seeded Lady Vols followed their point guard to a 92-61 victory over seventh-seeded Florida on Friday afternoon before a crowd of 9,928 at the Sommet Center.

UT will play in the semifinals at 9 EST tonight (TV: FSN) against No. 21 Vanderbilt (23-7), a 49-44 winner over Auburn.

Candace Parker, who ran the court like a wide receiver running fly patterns, led three double-figure scorers with 26 points for Tennessee (28-2). The Lady Vols scored 30 fast-break points and 24 off turnovers while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor (36-for-55).

Senior center Nicky Anosike convened the history lesson beforehand. She reminded her teammates how an uninspired 81-63 victory over South Carolina to start last season's tournament foreshadowed a 63-54 loss to LSU the following evening.

"We played horrible,'' she said. "It set the tone for the rest of the tournament."

Tennessee was determined for this season's tone to begin with a fast tempo. The Lady Vols practiced that way during the week. They stressed their preferred pace beforehand and re-emphasized it at halftime, after 17 fast-break points were instrumental in building a 48-33 halftime lead.

Bobbitt described her intentions as if they were a general's command: "Just attack.''

Some of her dribble charges went into the foul lane or all the way to the rim, as evidenced by her 22 points. She hit seven-of-eight free throws. If she wasn't shooting, she was serving up one of her six assists.

Four of Bobbitt's assists went to Parker, who was mimicking a receiver in the locker room afterward and complimenting her favorite quarterback.

"She puts it where I like them,'' Parker said.

Bobbitt's generosity was contagious. Five other players contributed at least two assists to UT's total of 21. Forward Angie Bjorklund led with seven.

"I think we decided to play with a lot of energy and we played a 40-minute game, didn't we?'' Parker asked.

UT coach Pat Summitt responded by saying, "We did."

"It's on the record,'' Parker said.

"Write that down, please,'' added guard Alexis Hornbuckle, who scored 16 points.

The go-go Lady Vols might have gotten ahead of themselves on that thought. Florida (18-13) didn't start really choking on Big Orange exhaust fumes until about midway through the second half.

The Gators lost their best post player, forward Marshae Dotson, to an unspecified injury after six playing minutes in the first half. Still, they persisted with 20 offensive rebounds and eight 3-pointers.

Gators guard Sha Brooks, who's from Jackson, Tenn., again played like an All-American against the state school. After scoring a season-high 27 points in the regular-season meeting, she followed up by hitting three of Florida's treys and scoring a team-high 20 points.

"They basically got whatever three they wanted,'' Anosike said. "It didn't affect us in this game. When we get down to playing the great teams, it could be the difference between a win or loss."

That worry was for another day. As for this day, the Lady Vols were more inclined to bask in the offensive accomplishments generated by no speed limits.

"That, to us, is like spinach,'' UT assistant coach Dean Lockwood said. "It feeds us. It gives us energy. When the game is played like that, the game kind of flows."

Hornbuckle got caught up Friday's flow in a manner that matched her best offensive game since scoring 16 points against Mississippi State on Feb. 7. To her, it seemed longer than that.

"I needed that,'' said Hornbuckle, who shot 7 for 10 from the floor and swished two treys. "I feel like I hadn't shot well since January. That's what it feels like.

"That last three, I stood there like, 'Thank you.' A relief. Now let's hope I can continue."

40 minutes of energy

Lady Vols keep going and going, 92-61