Senechal, Edwards lead No. 5 UConn past Tennessee 84-67

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lou Lopez Senechalscored 26 points and Aaliyah Edwards added 25 to lead No. 5Connecticut to an 84-67 victory over Tennessee in a matchup oficonic women’s basketball programs on Thursday night.

Aubrey Griffen and Dorka Juhasz each scored 13 points for theHuskies (19-2), who led by as many as 16 points at the end of thefirst quarter and extended their winning streak to 12 games. NikaMuhl had 14 assists.

“I don’t know if we could recreate the rivalry we’ve had (in thepast),” Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said. “This is as good anonconference game you can play anywhere.”

Jordan Horston scored 27 points for the Lady Volunteers (16-7),who closed within two points early in the third period but couldn’tcomplete the comeback.

“It was tough to slow (UConn) down,” Tennessee coach KellieHarper said. “They were making every open shot and some toughones.”

Rickea Jackson scored 13 points and Jillian Hollingshead added11 as Tennessee lost for the first time in 10 games.

“(Horston) is a terrific player,” said Auriemma. “We recruitedher down to the end and she chose Tennessee. Those players tend tohave big games against us.”

“I just wanted to get it done, whatever it takes,” Horston said.“Their post players were really physical.”

All of Tennessee’s losses have come against ranked teams.

UConn, which couldn’t miss in the first quarter, and couldn’tbuy a basket in the second, carried a 40-36 lead into halftime.

“In the second quarter, (Tennessee) punched us and we didn’tpunch back,” said Lopez Senechal. “We had to be moreaggressive.”

Edwards had 10 points and Lopez Senechal had nine in the first10 minutes, when the Huskies shot 71% and led 33-17. Tennesseescored the last eight points of the second quarter — four byHorston, who had 11 at the break — to make it interesting.

“It’s a case of kids getting tired of getting their butts beat,”said Auriemma. “That takes over. We have to change our approach.The adrenaline starts flowing.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

UConn has been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 poll for557 straight weeks. That won’t change. … On the other hand,Tennessee started the season No. 5, but has struggled with thetoughest schedule in the country. ... When the Lady Vols take onLSU on Monday and South Carolina on Feb. 23, they will have playedall of the top six teams in this week’s poll.

BIG PICTURE

Connecticut: If the Huskies were healthy, they would be apowerhouse. However, their two top players, Paige Bueckers and AzziFudd, and top freshman Ice Brady, are out with injuries. … Jana ElAlfy, a 6-foot-4 2023 recruit from Cairo, Egypt, has enrolledearly. She’s with the team, but not expected to play thisseason.

Tennessee: This 26th meeting (UConn leads 17-9) between the Volsand Huskies is the climax to the “We Back Pat” week that bringsattention to Alzheimer’s disease, which claimed the life of iconicLady Vols coach Pat Summitt. … Tennessee coach Kellie Harper saidplaying UConn was important to Summitt, who she played for, so shehopes the series will continue. … Tennessee has had to deal withthe loss of 6-6 Tamari Key, who was diagnosed with blood clots ninegames into her senior year.

UP NEXT

Connecticut: Host a Big East meeting with No. 21 Villanova onSunday.

Tennessee: Travel to No. 4 LSU on Monday night.