The University of Connecticut (UConn) women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance against the University of Tennessee on March 10, 2024, winning 96-66. This decisive victory marks Tennessee’s worst loss in the history of their longstanding rivalry, with UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong contributing a combined total of 53 points.
UConn initially took control of the game, building a significant early lead of 21-5 within the first seven minutes. Fudd, who notably recorded seven rebounds and seven assists, was instrumental in this surge. However, Tennessee responded fiercely, outscoring UConn 35-15 over a 12-minute stretch to take a brief lead late in the first half.
Despite their efforts, the Lady Vols could not maintain the momentum. The game shifted decisively midway through the third quarter when UConn led 57-53. The Huskies went on a 14-point run to close the period, with Strong igniting the scoring with a crucial 3-point play. This surge culminated when Allie Ziebell, who recently tied a program record with ten 3-pointers in a previous game, hit another three-pointer, extending the lead to 71-53 by the end of the third quarter.
Tennessee, ranked 15th, was unable to recover in the final quarter, resulting in a defeat that surpassed their previous worst loss of 23 points to UConn in 2002. This defeat is now the second-largest in Tennessee’s history, following a 31-point loss to Texas in 1984. Janiah Barker led Tennessee with 16 points, but the team’s frantic pace and defensive strategies could not secure a comeback.
UConn played the game without star freshman Blanca Quinonez, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Despite her absence, the Huskies displayed a strong collective performance, showcasing their depth and skill. UConn and Tennessee are set to continue their rivalry for the next two years, reigniting a long-standing competition that had been dormant since 2007, before resuming in 2020.
The Huskies’ victory further extends their current winning streak to 39 games. Last season, Tennessee handed UConn their only loss, which occurred in Knoxville, contributing to UConn’s eventual 12th national championship.
Looking ahead, Tennessee will aim to bounce back against No. 23 Georgia in Athens on Thursday, while UConn prepares for a road game against DePaul on Wednesday. This latest matchup not only highlights the competitive spirit of NCAA women’s basketball but also sets the stage for future encounters between these two storied programs.
