BALTIMORE — Coppin State made history Thursday night when it welcomed the Tennessee Lady Vols to PEC Arena. For the first time in the Tennessee women’s basketball program’s history, the eight-time national champions played on the home court of a historically Black college or university. The 1,619 fans in attendance saw Coppin erase an early seven-point deficit, tie the game twice and finish the first quarter just two points behind.

Tennessee’s visit continued a six-season stretch in which Coppin has brought a power-conference opponent to Baltimore each year. Maryland came first in 2021, followed by Pitt, LSU, Arizona State and South Carolina. The Eagles had faced Tennessee once before, an 88–35 loss in Knoxville last November. This time, head coach Darrell Mosley’s team got the rematch at home, three nights after opening its season with an 80–69 win over Cheyney. The Lady Vols arrived with a win of their own after former Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle scored 31 points in a 109–62 victory over Duquesne.

Coppin missed its first seven shots Thursday before sophomore Anya George put the Eagles on the board with a three-pointer at the 4:42 mark. Shanaii Gamble followed with a layup off a pass from freshman Bray’ana Miles, and two Delaney Cooper free throws brought Coppin level at 7–7. Karen Nimo tied it again at 8–8. After Tennessee went back up by four, Miles found freshman Arly Zapata for a layup with 40 seconds left to make it 12–10.

The Eagles’ strongest stretch came early in the second quarter, just as Tennessee appeared ready to pull away. Down 26–13, Coppin turned to Seimone Newton, who was making her college debut after missing all of last season. Newton hit a jumper, then sank a three off a pass from Miles. On Coppin’s next basket, Miles found Samari Taylor for a layup. Tennessee broke up the run with a free throw before George set up Gamble for the layup that made it 27–22 with 6:35 left in the half.

Tennessee rebuilt its lead, but George gave Coppin a chance to go into halftime down 12 when she hit a three with 38 seconds left. Aaliyah Moore answered seven seconds later to send the Lady Vols into the break ahead 42–27. Then Smikle took over. She opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, added a layup four seconds later and turned a steal into another basket. Her second three put Tennessee ahead 52–27 and brought a Coppin timeout with 7:20 on the clock. Smikle had scored all 10 points of the half to that point. By the end of the quarter, the Lady Vols led 75–39.

Coppin scored 21 in the fourth, its highest-scoring quarter, and finished the night shooting 39.6 percent to Tennessee’s 39.0 percent. The Lady Vols, however, took 77 shots to Coppin’s 53. They scored 32 points off 29 Eagles turnovers, won the rebounding battle 50–36 and hit 13 three-pointers. Smikle finished with a game-high 18 points, while freshman Gabby Minus added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

George led Coppin with 13 points, and freshman Jayleen Jones added 12, including six at the free-throw line. Freshman Bray’ana Miles played 39 minutes against Tennessee’s press and handed out six assists. Inside, Samari Taylor contributed eight points and seven rebounds, while Gamble led the Eagles with eight boards. Coppin heads into its first road game at 1–1 and will visit Central Connecticut State on Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m.

Final score — Tennessee 98, Coppin State 60

Watch the official game highlights