No. 1 UConn vs No. 15 Tennessee | Condensed Game Recap | 2.1.26

HARTFORD, Connecticut - February 1st, 2026 Fair Use Notice: The Women’s Basketball Alliance (WBA) highlights are shared under Fair Use as transformative content for educational, promotional, and analytical purposes. By curating and presenting condensed game footage, we provide commentary, foster public engagement, and promote the growth of women’s basketball. For copyright concerns, contact us at [email protected], all claims will be reviewed promptly. Written by Declan Walsh | CTinsider.com UConn women's basketball had played Tennessee 27 times since 1995 in arguably the sport's most consequential and competitive rivalry, meeting five times in the Final Four alone. The Huskies and Volunteers followed a similar script for the first 20 minutes Sunday afternoon as the two teams renewed their series at PeoplesBank Arena, with Tennessee erasing a sizable early deficit and bringing the score to a 42-42 deadlock at halftime. However, Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd proceeded to lead a surgical second-half offensive effort, securing the Huskies a 96-66 victory and unprecedented rivalry dominance. This performance usurps UConn's famous 79-56 victory in the 2002 Final Four as having the largest margin of victory from either side in the rivalry. These are also the only two games between UConn and Tennessee to have been decided by more than 20 points. UConn also shattered the rivalry record for most points scored, an achievement that was in a bit more doubt during the closing stages of Sunday's game. Sarah Strong corralled a rare miss from herself and stuck the putback with 1:19 remaining, two of her 26 points on the afternoon, helping UConn overtake Tennessee's 92-81 victory for the scoring record. Strong added another basket for good measure on UConn's next possession, padding the Huskies' first-ever 90-point effort against the Volunteers. The margin of loss was the second highest in Tennessee history. Tennessee lost by 31 to Texas on Dec. 11, 1984. Sunday afternoon's place in the record books is fitting after a game of breakneck extremes, as the Huskies looked set to begin their rout from the opening tip-off. A sold-out, whited-out crowd in Hartford witnessed a stunning 18-3 start from UConn, with Fudd scoring the first seven points in a game-high, 27-point outing while the Huskies forced four turnovers before the media timeout. Instead, the Volunteers fought back with some disruptive defense of their own, forcing a normally sure-handed UConn squad to commit 10 first-half turnovers while erasing this deficit by halftime. It's the first game this season in which UConn, which entered Sunday as sizable 24.5-point favorites, has not led at halftime. UConn's top-ranked defense re-emerged in the third quarter, holding the Volunteers without a point in the final 4:45 of the third quarter while embarking on a 14-0 run during this period to slam the door on Tennessee. The Huskies can earn another lofty margin of victory next time out against DePaul Wednesday after scoring a season-high 67-point win against the Blue Demons earlier this year. Read More: https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/ucon...