LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky came up a game short of repeating as Southeastern Conference regular-season champions.

But the seventh-ranked Wildcats are confident they can win the conference tournament.

Tennessee ended Kentucky's one-year reign as regular season champs, but the Wildcats believe they served notice that they are the tournament favorite with Sunday's victory over the Lady Volunteers. The win clinched second place and a first-round bye in the tournament that began Wednesday in Duluth, Ga. Kentucky (25-4, 13-3) faces the Missouri-Vanderbilt winner on Friday.

Kentucky's victory against Tennessee also marked a return to form as they used their depth, and mixed tough defense with balanced offense, to wear down the Lady Volunteers. Believing that game was more indicative of their ability, players are confident of winning the program's first tournament title since 1982.