University of Connecticut Athletics
Taurasi Leads Huskies Over Tennessee in Overtime
1/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HARTFORD, CT (Jan. 4) – Diana Taurasi’s (Chino, CA) jumper with 51 seconds left in overtime led the University of Connecticut to a come from behind win over Tennessee 63-62, in front of a sellout crowd at the Hartford Civic Center. The win is the 53rd straight home victory and the 51st overall win for the Huskies. UConn is now 12-0 on the season, while the Lady Vols fall to 9-3.
The first half was an evenly fought half, but turned UConn’s way when Taurasi heaved a half court shot that dropped as time expired to give the Huskies a 29-26 lead. Taurasi led Connecticut in scoring in the half with nine points and Barbara Turner (Cleveland, OH) added seven.
UConn used the momentum from Taurasi’s shot to jump out to a seven point lead with 18:17 to go. Tennessee took over from there, as they went on a 16-5 run to take a four point lead at 45- 41. The Lady Vols were not done though as they used another 7-0- run to push out to an eight point lead with just over five minutes to go. Connecticut would not die as they cut the lead to one with a lay-up by Ann Strother (Castle Rock, CO) with 42 seconds to go. Tennessee’s Shyra Ely then took the ball down the lane for a lay-up to push the Lady Vols lead back to three. The Huskies called a timeout and set up a three point shot for Taurasi, which she hit with 6.9 seconds left. A turnover by Tennessee sent the game to overtime.
In overtime the game was back and forth as both teams enjoyed leads in the overtime. Taurasi took control though with back-to-back baskets to give the Huskies the victory.
Taurasi finished the game with 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Strother was the only other Husky in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. The Huskies were out rebounded for the first time this season 42-39.
Tennessee was led by Ashley Robinson with 15 points and four rebounds and Kara Lawson with 13 points and nine rebounds.
UConn returns to action on Wednesday, January 8, against Rutgers at the Hartford Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
