In one of women’s college basketball’s most storied rivalries, UConn flexed its championship-caliber muscle in Knoxville, pulling away from Tennessee with a dominant second half to secure a 96-66 win. It was the 28th meeting between these two powerhouses, and while the Lady Vols showed plenty of fight early, the top-ranked Huskies reminded everyone why they’re still the gold standard.
UConn wasted no time setting the tone, storming out to a 21-5 lead in the first quarter. Their ball movement was crisp, their defensive rotations sharp, and their shot-making-particularly from deep-was clinical.
But Tennessee wasn’t about to roll over on its home floor. The Lady Vols responded with a 14-4 run to close the quarter, cutting the deficit to just six, 25-19, and injecting some energy back into Thompson-Boling Arena.
That momentum carried into the second quarter, where Tennessee found its rhythm. They outscored UConn 23-17 in the frame, knotting the game at 42 apiece heading into halftime.
Janiah Barker led the charge offensively, attacking the paint and creating opportunities in transition. Tennessee was matching UConn blow for blow, and for a moment, it felt like we were in for a classic.
But the second half told a different story.
UConn came out of the locker room with a renewed intensity-and a scorching hot shooting hand. The Huskies poured in 54 points over the final 20 minutes, while holding Tennessee to just 24.
It was a masterclass in execution. They shot 58% from the field for the game, including a lethal 50% from three (11-for-22), and their offense looked effortless at times.
Azzi Fudd was the engine behind it all. The junior guard lit up the scoreboard with 27 points, including a blistering 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Her ability to create her own shot and stretch the floor gave Tennessee fits all night. Every time the Lady Vols looked like they might mount a run, Fudd was there to quiet the crowd with a dagger three or a smooth pull-up jumper.
Tennessee, meanwhile, couldn’t keep pace. They shot just 38% from the floor (24-for-63), and the offense stalled under UConn’s pressure.
Barker finished with a team-high 16 points, but the Lady Vols struggled to find consistent scoring elsewhere. The Huskies’ defense, anchored by disciplined rotations and active hands, forced tough looks and limited second-chance opportunities.
With the win, UConn stays unbeaten and extends its lead in the all-time series to 18-10. Tennessee, now 14-5 on the season, will look to regroup as they return to SEC play. Next up: a road matchup against Georgia on Thursday night.
For Tennessee, this game was a measuring stick. They showed flashes of what makes them dangerous-resilience, athleticism, and the ability to punch back.
But UConn? UConn showed what it looks like to sustain that level of play for four quarters.
And right now, that’s the difference between being a contender and being the team everyone else is chasing.