It’s a trip that UConn Huskies women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma loves to take, a visit to New York City. It’s a chance to take the team to a show, get some good Italian food and have overall good team bonding.
For him, it’s even more special when it is to play in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden, honoring the late Army coach Maggie Dixon, who died from a heart arrhythmia at the age of 28.
For the fourth time in the history of the Maggie Dixon Classic, UConn came out as winners as they beat the home town team, the St. John’s Red Storm, 70-54 in front of 7,419 on Sunday afternoon.
No. 2 UConn improves to 12-1 while St. John’s falls to 12-2.
Morgan Tuck led the Huskies with 23 points, including 11 straight that pushed the Huskies out front in the second half. Breanna Stewart added a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds while blocking six shots.
Using words from the late Stuart Scott, “call Moriah Jefferson butter because she’s on a roll.” Jefferson finished with 16 points and six assists continuing her recent offensive surge. Kiah Stokes added nine rebounds off the bench as well.
Aliyahh paced the Red Storm with 20 points and eight rebounds. Amber Thompson also had eight rebounds with 10 points while Danaejah Grant had 13 points. Aaliyah Lewis had a game-high nine assists to go along with five points and four rebounds.
UConn returns home on Wednesday night when they’ll host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
UConn Huskies vs St. John’s Red Storm 1-4-15 box score
photo credit: cloe poisson – hartford courant
