With a 30 point lead, Uconn (Huskies) beat Tennessee (Lady Volunteers) 96-66 on February 1, 2026.  Azzi Fudd led the Huskies with 27 points and Janiah Barker put up 16 points for the Volunteers.

1st quarter 

To begin the game, Mia Pauldo from Tennessee secures the ball from the jump, but the Huskies defense comes to play and forces an immediate turn over. The turn over transitions into a smooth offense and an easy lay-up from Azzi Fudd. After a long 8-0 run by the Huskies, Barker puts up 2 points for the Volunteers. 

Coming close to the end of the first quarter, Serah Williams tries to sneak in a pass to Kayleigh Heckel, but it gets deflected by Kaniya Boyd. She dove on the floor for the ball causing pain to her right knee, leading her into getting subbed out of the game.

To end the first quarter the Huskies lead the Volunteers 19-25. Zee Spearman shoots a 2 just before the buzzer rang, closing the gap to only a 6 point lead. 

2nd quarter

Transitioning into the 2nd quarter Tennessee starts with the ball. Nya Robertson drives to the baskets drawing a foul from Ashlynn Shade. She goes to the free throw line and shoots 2/2. Sarah Strong’s responses by dribbling passed everyone for a quick bucket. 

Half way through the second quarter, Tennessee fought for every possession they got, keeping the Huskies at the same 6 point lead. For every shot the Huskies put up the Volunteers had a response, until around the 3:30 mark when the Volunteers tied the game 36-36 forcing Geno Auriemma to call a time out. That doesn’t stop the Volunteers pushing a lead 42-38 with 2 minutes left on the clock

The Husking responded, with shots finally going in the basket and they ended the 1st  half 42-42. The 15 seed Volunteers gave a shocking performance towards the 1 seed Huskies.   

3rd quarter 

Kicking off the second half, Shade finds Williams for a quick lay-up giving the Huskies the lead. The Volunteers respond with a lay-up from Spearman. While the game was mostly back and fourth, the Huskies went on a 10-0 run forcing Tennessee to call a timeout at 5:38 with the score at 48-57. To end the quarter, the Huskies turn things around and go on a 14-0 run and lead the Volunteers 53-71. Ivana Gidado, A Colonia High School Student said, “Once the Huskies are on a run, it is extremely difficult to slow them down”.

4th quarter 

Taking the first shot of the quarter, Barker shoots a three and makes it. At the 5 minute mark the Huskies had just played amazing defense on Volunteers and forced Pauldo to force a shot up before the shot clock ran out. At this point the Huskies have taken over the game and are up 60-82. 

The Huskies aren’t looking to stop their lead, Fudd shoots and makes a three, making it her 27th point of the game according to ESPN. Right after this play the Volunteers are feeling the pressure and turn the ball over immediately. 

Jaida Civil takes the last shot of the game and misses it by a tad, giving the Huskies the win! 

Jadalynn Cruz, a Colonia High School student, said that Uccon would have won regardless due to the fact that they are a stronger team.