legendary women basketball coach geno auriemma he wasn’t satisfied with the first half he umpired in Connecticut’s matchup with Tennessee on Thursday night.
The Huskies took a 33-17 lead over the Vols after the first quarter, but allowed Tennessee to get back into the game before the end of the half in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tennessee guard Jordan Horston, #25, passes UConn guard Nika Muhl, #10, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The Vols outscored UConn 19-7 in the second quarter, sending Auriemma’s Huskies to the locker room with only four points ahead.
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The coach, 11 times national champion, was not happy.
«How do I approach it? How do I approach it? You don’t address it,» Auriemma said at halftime when asked how she would address her team to allow Tennessee to get to the foul line in the first half.
«This is what you get when you come here. The game was called one thing and then it changed. Nothing else changed. We didn’t change. Nothing else changed.»
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The Huskies were fouled eight times in the second quarter as the Vols ran in to keep the game close.
While Auriemma wasn’t happy heading into halftime, he walked out of the arena pleased as his Huskies defeated Tennessee, 84-67.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma yells at his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
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UConn outscored the Lady Vols 28-19 in the third quarter, getting 26 points from Lou Lopez Senechal in the win.
«It was hard to stop (UConn),» Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said. «They were making all the open shots and some hard ones.»
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The winner moved UConn to 19-2 in the season when the Vols fell to 16-7.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma reacts to a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The two historic programs are headed in different directions as the Vols started the season at No. 5 in the preseason rankings before dropping out altogether.
«I don’t know if we could recreate the rivalry that we’ve had (in the past),» Auriemma said. «This is such a great non-conference game that you can play anywhere.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.