KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- With leading scorer Tamika Catchings on the bench with an injury and the game still in question, Semeka Randall knew it was time to take control.

	Semeka Randall, left, tries to get off a pass against Auburn's Sabrina Minter.

Tennessee (No. 3 ESPN/USA Today; No. 2 AP) turned to Randall midway through the second half as the Lady Vols halted a comeback by Auburn (No. 14 ESPN/USA Today; No. 11 AP) and pulled away to a 76-61 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (25-3, 13-1 Southeastern Conference) also got 18 points from Kara Lawson. Auburn (21-6, 9-5) was led by Conswella Sparrow with 15 points.

Randall scored a season-high 23 points, eight of which came in a key stretch immediately after the Tigers cut a 21-point deficit to 10 with nine minutes left. The Lady Vols' emotional leader came to the forefront when Catchings went down with a hip injury, leading a 14-7 run that gave Tennessee a 65-50 lead with six minutes left.

"When Catchings went out, Semeka stepped it up offensively and defensively," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "She really got the team inspired. It was about a 13-point game and we needed someone to step up. She lit a fire under us."

Randall had a steal and layup, hit a short jumper and was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line in a four-minute span that put Tennessee in control.

"We were up by 14 or 15 and then they cut it to 10," Randall said. "I just knew we needed a big pickup."

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, combining for just 17 points in the first 10 minutes.

Auburn took an 11-8 lead on a free throw by Le'Coe Willingham with 10:32 left in the half, but Lawson sparked the Lady Vols during an 18-10 run that put Tennessee up 25-19.

Lawson's strong shooting continued as the Lady Vols slowly built a 10-point lead. She hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points in the last seven minutes of the half to help Tennessee to a 38-25 halftime lead.

"Kara did a great job early breaking us down defensively," Auburn coach Joe Ciampi said. "Her 15 points was a dagger to us early on."

Auburn hit just 27 percent of its shots from the field in the first half, while the Lady Vols rebounded from the slow start to shoot 50 percent.

"Any time you play a Tennessee team you have to understand that defensively they are going to attack you and offensively you have to have patience and consistent movement," Ciampi said. "We were inconsistent in those areas and that will lead to a loss."

The Lady Vols took control early in the second half, using a 15-7 run to take a 53-32 lead in the first six minutes. Randall again led the charge with eight points.

Sparrow rallied Auburn within 10 points at 57-47 with nine minutes left. The Lady Vols were outscored 11-2 during a four-minute span.

But Randall came alive offensively moments later, leading Tennessee back to a 65-50 lead. Auburn never threatened again.

"She (Randall) took over with her ability to go to the basket and draw fouls," Ciampi said. "It was incredible what she did. We didn't do a good job on her."

Catchings added seven rebounds and three assists. Tasha Hamilton scored 14 points for Auburn.