Lady Vols take down UConn for the first time since 2007

What a game.

For the first time since 2007, the Tennessee Lady Vols have defeated the UConn Huskies. Without a doubt one of the games of the year — Tennessee found every answer they needed down the stretch to put this one on ice.

The Lady Vols fell behind by seven points in the second quarter, and it felt like this one was on the brink of getting away. Talaysia Cooper and Ruby Whitehorn quickly came up with the answer Tennessee needed to cut it back to two points. Another UConn run was answered again by Tennessee just before halftime as Jewel Spear and Zee Spearman cut the UConn lead down to 39-37.

Out of the break, it was Tennessee on the attack. Six straight points from Samara Spencer gave the Lady Vols a four point lead, then it was Tess Darby splashing a three to make it 52-45. The lead would grow to as many as nine points in the third quarter.

But you knew UConn would come back, and that’s what they did.

The Huskies got it back down to two points with just under five minutes to play. Kaitlyn Chen would tie it up at 69-69 with 3:16 to play.

This one was starting to feel like every other big time game this season for the Lady Vols. Tennessee has found ways to let them slip away over the past month or so, would they face the same fate tonight?

Jewel Spear broke the tie with a huge three, then added another layup. Paige Bueckers, the presumed No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, tied it right back with a three of her own.

Spearman and Cooper came up with big baskets when it counted to maintain Tennessee’s lead. Then a massive sequence with the shot clock winding down played out. Just as it was about to expire, Spearman threw up a shot from under the basket and made it for the clincher. It was a fantastic dish from Cooper, and enough to put the home crowd at ease.

The Lady Vols had a four point lead with 11 seconds left, and that would do it.

Final score: No. 19 Tennessee 80, No. 5 UConn 76

Outworked is the correct word to use. Tennessee won the rebounding battle 46-34, which is a big reason they’re in the win column tonight. They were able to hold Paige Bueckers to 14 points on 5-16 shooting from the field. And coming down the stretch? This team answered every call.

This one is obviously big. This rivalry is massive. Getting over this hump is huge. But for Kim Caldwell’s first signature win to come in this spot? That could be a turning point for the entire program going forward.

The Lady Vols will be back in action on on Sunday with another big one at No. 9 LSU.

Lady Vol Stat Leaders

Jewel Spear: 12 points

Samara Spencer: 14 points

Zee Spearman: 16 points, 7 rebounds