The Tennessee Lady Vols continued the team’s dominant SEC play winning streak Sunday, but were forced to do so without Janiah Barker on the court at the end of the game. Barker left the 70-59 match during the fourth quarter of the game — after making several attempts to stay in — and didn’t return.
It wasn’t immediate clear what happened to Barker and Coach Kim Caldwell wasn’t forthcoming with information following the game. While speaking to reporters post game, Caldwell admitted that it was possible they knew more than she did because the injury happened so quickly. “I went back to the huddle, continued coaching, I didn’t even know what the call was,” Caldwell explained.
The injury comes as the Lady Vols stare down a crucial back half of conference play that will reveal just how much growth the team has experienced this season.
What happened to Janiah Barker?
Barker was hit in the face with just over six minutes left in Sunday’s game against Alabama. She was knocked to the floor and clearly in distress and pain, but made a few attempts to continue to play before walking off the court of her own volition…