KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Evina Westbrook, who transferred from Tennessee to UConn two years ago, connected on back-to-back fourth-quarter 3-pointers to spark the No. 3 Huskies to a 67-61 victory over the No. 25 Lady Volunteers Thursday night.UConn freshman.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Evina Westbrook, who transferred from Tennessee to UConn two years ago, connected on back-to-back fourth-quarter 3-pointers to spark the No. 3 Huskies to a 67-61 victory over the No. 25 Lady Volunteers Thursday night.
UConn freshman Paige Bueckers added nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Huskies (9-0). After rolling her right ankle with just over 3 minutes left, Bueckers left the court for a minute to get her ankle taped up. She returned and hit a huge 3-pointer from the wing with 28 seconds left that gave the Huskies a 66-61 lead and sealed the win.
It was a classic meeting in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Revival Series during We Back Pat Week, which honors legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who passed away in 2016. The Lady Vols wore for the third time “Summitt” on the back of their jerseys.
Kellie Harper feels the shadow of Pat Summitt still looms over the Tennessee Lady Vols, as well as the expectations that come with coaching the winningest program in womenâs college basketball history.
The second-year Tennessee head coach also knows the program is a shadow of what it was under Summitt, and that trying to be her is not the way to build a contender.
âThatâs just not going to work,â Harper said. âAnd what I can do is be the best me that I can possibly be. A me that learned from her, that played for her, that gave everything I had to the program. But at the end of the day, youâre going to sell yourself short if youâre trying to be somebody that youâre not.â
Lady Vols set to host UConn, trying to rebuild hoops program
Tennessee coach Kellie Harper is shown against Alabama earlier this week. The Lady Vols will host No. 3 UConn (8-0) for the first time in 15 years Thursday night. AP FILE
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma talks to his player during a break in the action in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Storrs, Conn. (David Butler II/Pool Photo via AP) David Butler II
Published: 1/20/2021 6:12:08 PM
Kellie Harper feels the shadow of Pat Summitt still looms over the Tennessee Lady Vols, as well as the expectations that come with coaching the winningest program in women’s college basketball history.