Knoxville, TN - The Tennessee Lady Vols pulled off a thrilling upset against the UConn Huskies, defeating them 80-76 on February 6, 2025, at the Food City Center. This victory marks Tennessee's first win over UConn since 2007 and clinches head coach Kim Caldwell's signature moment early in her tenure.
The Lady Vols made their intent clear from the start. Despite trailing 39-37 at halftime, they demonstrated resilience and tenacity. Caldwell, who stepped up as Tennessee’s new head coach, said, "My biggest memory [of the series] would be just how it took over your whole week of when the game was on the schedule..." This was not just another game; it was one the entire team and their fans had been preparing for.
Leading the charge for Tennessee were standout players Jewel Spear, who finished with multiple impactful plays, and Zee Spearman, who provided defensive prowess. UConn, known for their consistent performance under veteran coach Geno Auriemma, was expected to dominate, especially considering their ranking at No. 5 going head-to-head with the No. 19 Lady Vols.
At halftime, UConn's Paige Bueckers, one of the nation's top players, had already encountered foul trouble, scoring only five points by the break due to the intense guarding from Tennessee. Bueckers remarked positively about the game dynamics, saying, "Just be smart, knowing the game, but know when not to be aggressive..." reinforcing the tactical shift needed to secure victory.
The second half opened with Tennessee bolting out of the locker room with renewed vigor, leveraging defensive steals to create fast-break opportunities. An 8-0 run gave the Lady Vols their first lead after trailing the entire first half. Key plays came from Samara Spencer, who contributed important buckets, and Sarah Strong from UConn, who became instrumental but couldn't deter Tennessee's momentum.
With five minutes left, UConn managed to tie the game at 69-69, intensifying the atmosphere as the home crowd roared for their team. It became clear; this was more than just another matchup; it was part of the essence of women's college basketball—a fierce rivalry laden with history.
The final minutes saw both teams exchange leads, highlighting the competitive spirit of both programs. A dramatic moment came when Tennessee star Spear knocked down her first triple of the night to regain the lead. The tension was palpable as the game approached its conclusion.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, Tennessee held the ball with the game tied. Zee Spearman made the game-winning layup, putting Tennessee up 80-76. UConn had one last chance to equalize but couldn’t convert, sealing the victory for the Lady Vols and sending the crowd at Food City Center to their feet, celebrating this long-awaited triumph.
This win is substantial for Tennessee, offering hope and igniting passions for their fans. The last time the Lady Vols beat UConn they were under the distinguished leadership of Pat Summitt, making Caldwell’s achievement monumental. Caldwell said, “It was fun. I mean, it was an up and down game, both teams are playing extremely fast.”
While this victory is undoubtedly historic for the Lady Vols, questions linger around UConn's performance moving forward. The Huskies have navigated through their schedule with relative ease and this loss may expose vulnerabilities as they head toward the latter part of the season.
Looking forward, both teams will reflect on this classic encounter as they prepare for their upcoming challenges. For Tennessee, this win serves as validation of their new direction under Caldwell, as they aim to reclaim their glory. While UConn will regroup, the lesson learned here is clear: the spirit of competition lives on fervently where basketball rivals meet.
Next up, the Lady Vols will face off against LSU on February 9, hoping to build on their newfound momentum, as the UConn-Thompson rivalry continues to reshape itself with the changing tides of college basketball.