Historic Night: Tennessee Lady Vols Shatter NCAA 3-Pointer Record in a Dominant Victory

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a record-breaking performance that will be remembered for years to come, the No. 19 Tennessee Lady Vols crushed North Carolina Central with a staggering 139-59 victory on Saturday. This game not only showcased the incredible talent of the Lady Vols, but it also established a new NCAA record for 3-pointers made in a single game.

Star guard Samara Spencer was the standout player, cutting through the defense with precision as she hit 9 of 13 3-point attempts to amass a career-high 33 points. But she wasn't alone in her sharpshooting; the entire Lady Vols roster contributed to an astounding team total of 30 3-pointers, surpassing the previous Division I men's record held by Troy and Wyoming. This impressive feat included contributions from nine players, with three of them—Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, and Tess Darby—each scoring five triples.

“Honestly, it does surprise me,” said first-year Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell. “With the way we were shooting, I knew we could potentially break records, but to hear that it was an NCAA record was unexpected.”

Not only did the Lady Vols display their 3-point prowess, but they also broke the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for total points in a game, eclipsing their own previous record of 136 set back in 2002 during a massive win over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. At 139 points, this performance is one for the history books, and their 80-point margin of victory stands as one of the largest in NCAA history.

Throughout the game, Tennessee's defense was relentless, forcing North Carolina Central into a staggering 44 turnovers. The Eagles struggled to find their rhythm, with Shakiria Foster being the only bright spot for them, scoring 17 points.

The Lady Vols dominated from the tip-off, leading 33-10 after the first quarter and going into halftime with a commanding 69-18 advantage. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 111-39, as Tennessee continued to break records with their shooting and defensive play, leaving the Eagles in the dust with their inability to hold onto the ball.

In the final quarter, Destiny Wells hit the shot that sealed the NCAA 3-point record, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief. With this monumental achievement, the Tennessee Lady Vols are not just looking to dominate their current season, but they have also placed themselves firmly on the national stage, setting high expectations and records to chase in the future.

As the Lady Vols look ahead to what could be a historic season, fans are left to wonder: Just how far can this dynamic team go? Buckle up, because with performances like this, the sky’s the limit!