There are a lot of words that can be used to describe Vanderbilt’s 81-56 rout of Georgia in the semifinals of the SEC Women’s Tournament. “Disappointing” might be the one I’d settle on.

Just a day after giving fantastic defensive effort, they didn’t match the intensity against a better team. Things weren’t much better on offense; the outside shots weren’t falling when needed, and even the inside game struggled. Georgia hadn’t looked this bad since an earlier game against FSU. Vanderbilt was not about to fold like the Seminoles did, and their offensive firepower made Georgia pay for their defensive lapses.

The real disappointment came from the missed opportunity. With Tennessee’s loss in the first semifinal, Georgia had beaten every possible remaining opponent in the tournament. Georgia had dominated Vandy last season, knocked them from the 2006 tournament, and beat them solidly in Athens earlier this year. Georgia’s two seniors had to remember a missed opportunity against Vanderbilt in the 2004 SEC Tournament final. That Georgia could play another tournament game against Vanderbilt with no heart and with a scared, on-their-heels reaction to Vandy’s initial first half push was more than many fans could take.

They had a real chance to compete for the tournament title and wrap up a sure #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Now that seed will likely go to Vanderbilt, and Georgia will have to hang on and hope for a #3 seed. Hopefully the momentum and winning streak with which Georgia entered the SEC Tournament is not completely gone. They had come a long way and improved over the final month, and if any good comes from this loss, it will remind them what happens when they do not match their opponent’s will to win.

We’ll find all of that out on the women’s selection show on Monday March 12th.