KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Samara Spencer finished with 14 points and Zee Spearman tallied 16 to lead the No. 19 Lady Vols past fifth-ranked UConn by a score of 80-76.
Both teams held on to leads in the first half. Connecticut leaned on Sarah Strong who poured in 12 first-half points to hold a 39-37 advantage at the break. The Huskies maintained their lead until Tennessee went on a 13-0 run led by Spencer, who scored six straight points in less than a minute.
UConn chipped away at the lead and tied the game up at 74 after a Paige Bueckers triple. Spearman quickly answered in the paint with two.
Kim Caldwell once again turned to pick and roll for the Lady Vols’ final offensive possession. Talaysia Cooper found Spearman for two and a four-point advantage.
Cooper had 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Tennessee’s defense held the nation’s fifth-best three-point shooting offense to 25% from distance.
Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell picked up her first top-five win as a Division I coach.
UP NEXT: Tennessee hits the road to face No. 6 LSU on Sunday at 4 p.m.
