If you saw the game between UConn and Tennessee, then you know exactly what happened. You saw a first half that was not the best shooting game for either team, particularly from three. and for UConn, too many missed easy layups.
Still, UConn held a two-point lead at the half. But it was the third quarter where Tennessee took it to the Huskies, Starting toward the end of the second quarter and continuing into the third, Tennessee crept closer and closer until Samara Spencer made a layup, putting the Lady Vols up two, and from that point the Huskies never lead again. They did tie the game in the fourth on a pair of free throws from Kaitlyn Chen, but couldn’t pull ahead, giving Tennessee an 80 – 76 win, their first victory over UConn since 2007.
It isn’t that Tennessee played a great game. They played a very good game. UConn did not. The shooting from three, which has not been consistent for the Huskies all season, was once again a problem, as was shooting in general. The Lady Vols did marginally better. The deciding factor was the will to win. Not that UConn didn’t have it; they simply could not execute. Tennessee, even with 19 turnovers, seemed to be able to regroup more effectively than UConn.
Final from Knoxville@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/iUU5lWuKOD
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 7, 2025
UConn did hold Tennessee’s leading scorer, Talaysia Cooper, to 11 points, but the Lady Vols starters outscored the Huskies starters 57 – 50. This was also the first time in a while that Paige Bueckers played 35 minutes, and Sarah Strong 39. UConn needed every minute, but it still wasn’t enough. Azzi Fudd only scored 10 points but was heavily guarded for the entire game.
KK Arnold and Aubrey Griffin contributed off the bench, but overall there just wasn’t enough production from the whole team. As close as UConn tried to keep it, Tennessee did just enough to keep the game out of reach at the end.
Likely Aftermath of UConn’s Loss
This is going to put UConn down a few in the AP Standings, and likely raise up Tennessee. The Huskies have seven games remaining, including their matchup with South Carolina next week. To have any chance of winning that game, everything they didn’t do with Tennessee they will have to do to South Carolina, and then some.
For the Lady Vols, they have LSU up next and then Kentucky as their second to last game. Aside from the Gamecocks, UConn hopefully will be able to muster themselves and get through the rest of the Big East schedule. Where each of these teams ends up in the final bracket isn’t quite yet decided, but close. It ain’t over til it’s over.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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