No one is ever going to feel sorry for Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies women's basketball team when they have to play shorthanded. With Morgan Tuck, Brianna Banks and Saniya Chong missing the game, UConn was once again down to six scholarship players.
And like earlier in the season, it really didn't matter.
Breanna Stewart tied her career-high with 29 points and had seven rebounds as UConn went on to rout the South Florida Bulls 81-53 in front of the largest crowd this season, 13,207, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Sunday afternoon.
The Huskies improve to 21-0 (8-0 American) while the Bulls fall to 10-9 (5-3).
Bria Hartley's hot streak continued as she had 26 points and six assists. Moriah Jefferson had a nice game with 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals along with Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis who had eight points, five rebounds and six assists.
Courtney Williams was the only member of the Bulls to hit double figures as she had 23 points and tied Alisia Jenkins with a team-high eight rebounds. Jenkins also had six points and five assists while Akila McDonald had nine points.
Based on the final score, you wouldn't have thought that USF would hold a 13-11 lead with 13:23 to go in the first half. A Stewart three would give the Huskies the lead for good at 14-13 but the Bulls would stick around for the next few minutes.
Then an 8-0 run by UConn increased the lead to 10 at 30-20. The Huskies would outscore the Bulls 15-7 to enjoy an 18 point lead at the half.
USF never challenged UConn in the second half and it was on the to the 27th straight win for the Huskies.
Hopefully the Huskies will get Banks and Chong back for their next game. This will allow Auriemma to get some rest for his players as all five starters played at 33 minutes in a blowout win. In years past, they'd be out with 10 minutes to go.
But it's a long season and there's a reason why Auriemma is one of the greatest coaches around. So in reality, no sense to worry.
It's quick turnaround though for the Huskies as they head to Auriemma's stomping grounds for a matchup against former assistant Tanya Cardoza and the Temple Owls on Tuesday night. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
South Florida Bulls @ UConn Huskies 1/26/14 box score
Here are UConn's postgame quotes.
Here are UConn's postgame notes.
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photo credit: rick hartford – hartford courant
