Purcell Pavilion was a sea of green with a sellout of 9,149 fans, the
fifth sellout this season. The Vols trailed, 56-40, when the Irish
went on a stunning 14-0 run to build a 30-point lead.
"We knew it was going to be a great night when we walked out and saw
the sea of green," McGraw said. "It was an awesome sight. I think that
really fired the team up and got us so engaged. The fans really did a
great job. We struggled a bit at times, and they came in with their
applause to get us going, so I really want to thank the crowd for
helping us in this victory."
Diggins hit only one of her first five shots, but then hit nine of her
next 12 shots, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. The Irish point
guard finished with five assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Notre Dame forged a 10-point lead at halftime, 28-18, holding
Tennessee to a season-low for points in a half and a season low
shooting percentage for a half at 20 percent (7-of-35).
Notre Dame struck the Vols with an 11-3 run to open the second half
and open up an 18-point lead at 39-21. The Irish built a 21-point lead
when Diggins nailed a shot from the corner for a 47-26 lead. Tennessee
edged back, closing to 49-35 with 9:52 left in the game, but the Irish
slammed the door.
fifth sellout this season. The Vols trailed, 56-40, when the Irish
went on a stunning 14-0 run to build a 30-point lead.
"We knew it was going to be a great night when we walked out and saw
the sea of green," McGraw said. "It was an awesome sight. I think that
really fired the team up and got us so engaged. The fans really did a
great job. We struggled a bit at times, and they came in with their
applause to get us going, so I really want to thank the crowd for
helping us in this victory."
Diggins hit only one of her first five shots, but then hit nine of her
next 12 shots, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. The Irish point
guard finished with five assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Notre Dame forged a 10-point lead at halftime, 28-18, holding
Tennessee to a season-low for points in a half and a season low
shooting percentage for a half at 20 percent (7-of-35).
Notre Dame struck the Vols with an 11-3 run to open the second half
and open up an 18-point lead at 39-21. The Irish built a 21-point lead
when Diggins nailed a shot from the corner for a 47-26 lead. Tennessee
edged back, closing to 49-35 with 9:52 left in the game, but the Irish
slammed the door.
