No. 1 Vols down UConn to go 15-0

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Free throws and Sidney Spencer helped keep top-ranked Tennessee undefeated with the Lady Vols' second straight win over Connecticut.

Spencer scored a career-high 21 points, and the Lady Vols (15-0) went 32-of-41 from the foul line on Saturday afternoon to beat the No. 7 Huskies 89-80 in another classic game in this storied rivalry.

"I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say that I was excited about our defense, but we found a way to reach down and win," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.

UConn (12-2) lost for the first time in Knoxville since 2001 and had not dropped back-to-back games to Tennessee since 1998 and 1999. The Lady Vols ended their six-game losing streak to the Huskies last year.

And there was a big crowd to watch. Attendance was announced as 24,653, the largest in Thompson-Boling Arena history.

"It was electrifying," Summitt said. "This is a rivalry that is special in women's basketball on the national scene."

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who was booed by Lady Vols fans who don't like his brash attitude, said Tennessee's free-throw shooting was hard to overcome. He also didn't like the way his guards played.

"We're the University of Connecticut, and when we tee it up, we expect to win," he said. "We're really, really disappointed in ourselves."

"I do think we got exactly what the outcome of this game should have been. Are we as big and as strong and as talented as Tennessee right now? No."

UConn leads the all-time series 13-8, which includes six matchups in the Final Four.

Zolman, Candace Parker and Tye'sha Fluker each added 13 points, and Alexis Hornbuckle had 14 rebounds, 10 points and nine assists, barely missing the distinction of becoming the first Lady Vol with a triple double.

In a game that featured plenty of stars, it was Spencer who was clutch for the Lady Vols. The junior forward's previous career high was 14 points, and she had no points last year in Hartford.

"(My teammates) needed a double team to defend them, and that was leaving me open so they could kick the ball out to me to get the open shot," she said.

Tennessee led most of the second half, but couldn't extend it past six points until late. UConn cut it to 77-75 with 2:44 left on Barbara Turner's pair of free throws. In response, Spencer made four free throws in a row.