(This story was updated with more information.)
Lady Vols basketball had a record-breaking day against North Carolina Central.
No. 18 Tennessee set multiple records in its 139-59 win over NC Central (0-12) on Saturday at Food City Center. At 8-0, Kim Caldwell has recorded the best start for a first-year coach in program history.
“I mean, (athletic director) Mr. Danny (White) brought Coach Kim here to break records,” senior point guard Samara Spencer said. “So I feel like it’s kind of inevitable for us to be breaking records. I didn’t think it would happen so soon, for us to make as many 3-pointers as we did, but I knew it was going to come, (and) I’m glad it happened now.”
Here are the records Tennessee set in the win.
Lady Vols make 30 3-pointers for NCAA record
The Lady Vols set an NCAA Division I record for men’s and women’s basketball with 30 made 3-pointers. The previous NCAA record was 28, for men and women, and the men’s record had stood since 1994. The previous SEC record was 19 by Arkansas against Alabama in 2021.
Tennessee shot 30-for-63 from deep. The previous program record was 16 against Kentucky on March 6, 2011.
“It does surprise me,” Caldwell said of the NCAA record. “We shot enough of ’em, we should have broke it, but yeah, it was surprising to hear that it was a record.”
Spencer led the team with nine made 3-pointers, Talaysia Cooper and Tess Darby both made five, Avery Strickland hit three, and Zee Spearman, Ruby Whitehorn and Destinee Wells each hit two. Sara Puckett and Edie Darby each made one.
Tennessee took 63 3-point attempts
The Lady Vols’ 63 attempts from 3-point range set both an SEC and program record. The previous SEC record was 47 attempts by Arkansas last season. Before that, the SEC record of 46 attempts was set in 1994.
The Lady Vols set the program record for 3-point attempts for a fifth time this season. The previous marks were 42 attempts against Middle Tennessee, 41 attempts against Western Carolina, 39 attempts against UT Martin and 38 attempts against Liberty.
Before this season, the program record for 3-point attempts in a game was 36 against Lamar on Dec. 1, 2010.
Lady Vols scored 139 points
Tennessee’s 139 points broke the program record for points scored in a game. The previous record was 136 against Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 29, 2002.
That also set an SEC record, which the Lady Vols already held with their previous program record.
Lady Vols scored 69 first-half points
Tennessee led 69-18 at halftime, which tied the program record for first-half points. The 80-point margin of victory ranked No. 4 in program history.
The Lady Vols were two points away from tying the program record for most points in a quarter when they scored 42 in the third. The record stands at 44, and Saturday’s third quarter ranks No. 2.
Samara Spencer hit nine 3-pointers
Spencer led Tennessee in scoring. She had 33 points and 10 assists with no turnovers. Spencer shot 9-for-13 from deep, tying the NCAA record and breaking the Lady Vols record for 3-pointers made in a game by a single player.
The previous record of eight made 3-pointers in a game was held by Ariel Massengale and Meighan Simmons.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
