Aaliyah Edwards, No. 5 UConn run away with 84-67 win in renewed battle with Tennessee

It wasn’t a simple journey to Knoxville by any means, however the Huskies survived a bodily battle to maintain their maintain on the most effective rivalries in all of faculty basketball on Thursday evening.

No. 5 UConn fought by way of a tricky first half earlier than pulling away late to beat Tennessee 84-67 at Thompson-Boling Area, which snapped the Woman Volunteers’ nine-game win streak and marked the Huskies’ fourth-straight win within the collection.

The Huskies didn’t waste a lot time taking management of the sport on Thursday evening. They took an enormous 33-17 lead after the primary quarter, and closed the interval capturing 13-of-15 from the sector after opening the sport capturing simply 2-of-6.

UConn’s scorching hand, nevertheless, ended there. The Huskies scored simply seven factors within the second quarter and dedicated seven turnovers — which opened the door for the Woman Vols to leap proper again in it. Tennessee closed the primary half on a protracted 10-1 run and held UConn with out a area aim for greater than 4 minutes to chop what was as soon as a 16-point deficit down to only 4 factors.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma was not glad on the break, both.

Tennessee minimize the sport to a single possession nearly immediately within the third quarter, however that was the closest it obtained the remainder of the best way. UConn responded instantly with a 7-0 run of its personal and took management of the sport proper again. By the top of the third, the Huskies held a 13-point lead as soon as once more.

From there, UConn held robust within the fourth quarter to take the 17-point win.

UConn has largely dominated this rivalry, and has received each recreation for the reason that collection resumed in 2020. Tennessee hasn’t received since 2007, which was the final common season recreation performed earlier than the common matchup resumed, and the Huskies maintain a 5-2 all-time lead over the Woman Vols within the NCAA event.

Tennessee began the season ranked No. 5 within the nation, however rapidly fell out of the rankings fully after dropping a number of notable video games — together with to Ohio State, Indiana, UCLA, Gonzaga, Virginia Tech and Stanford. But the Woman Volunteers entered Thursday evening on a formidable nine-game win streak and an ideal report within the SEC.

Jordan Horston led Tennessee with 25 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench, and Rickea Jackson added 13 factors and 7 rebounds herself. The Woman Vols out-rebounded UConn 40-26, which marks simply the second time this season the Huskies have been on the fallacious facet of that battle.

Aaliyah Edwards led UConn with 25 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists within the win whereas capturing 9-of-15 from the sector. Lou Lopez-Senechal completed with a season-high 26 factors, and each Dorka Juhasz and Aubrey Griffin added 13 factors apiece.

UConn has now received 12 straight, and entered Knoxville recent off a 43-point win over DePaul on Monday evening. The Huskies will host No. 21 Villanova subsequent on Sunday.

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