In addition to Cooper’s contributions, Ruby Whitehorn chipped in with 15 points while Samara Spencer added 11 points for the Lady Vols, whose record now stands at 10-0. Despite their dominance, they fell short of their remarkable season averages of 97.4 points and 12.9 three-pointers per game. After previously setting an NCAA record with 30 three-pointers, Tennessee only managed to connect on 9 of their 31 attempts from beyond the arc in this matchup.
Leading the charge for Richmond, Rachel Ullstrom scored 19 points. Teammates Maggie Doogan and Ally Sweeney both contributed 13 points, with Addie Budnick adding 12 to the tally. The Spiders did not receive much assistance from their bench, scoring just three points compared to Tennessee’s 35 from their reserves.
Tennessee’s intense defensive pressure began to show its effects in the second half, allowing them to extend a 47-39 lead at halftime to as much as a 25-point advantage by the third quarter. Cooper played a pivotal role during this period, hitting 6 of 9 shots to help Tennessee outscore Richmond 26-11, providing them with a 73-50 lead entering the final quarter.
Throughout the game, Tennessee showcased a robust performance, shooting 51% overall and securing a 37-28 edge in rebounding. They effectively capitalized on Richmond’s 17 turnovers, converting those mistakes into 26 points. In the first half, the Lady Vols gained an additional opportunity to score with an impressive 23-10 advantage in rebounds, even as both teams shot at an even 50% rate.
Looking ahead, Tennessee is set to face Tulsa on Saturday, while Richmond will go up against Alabama to round out the tournament.
