The outcome of this game was never in doubt as the UConn women came out with their guns blazing on their way to a 98-35 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves in the season opener at Gampel Pavilion.
Mel Thomas led the way for the Huskies with 21 points and Maya Moore had a double-double in her first collegiate appearance as she scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Moore also had 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Tina Charles rounded out the Huskies in double figures as she had 16 points and had 8 rebounds. Dana Ferraro led the Seawolves with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Joia Daniels added 6 to the cause as well for Stony Brook.
The Huskies started out the first half with a 9-0 run before Stony Brook finally got on the Gampel scoreboard. Then the Huskies went on a 17-0 run in the next 4 minutes and 50 seconds to go up 26-2. They closed out the first half with a 10-0 run to go into the locker room leading 50-14.
More of the same for the Huskies in the second half as they started with a 11-0 run. The Seawolves finally ended the 21-0 run and 8 minutes scoreless streak when Ferraro converted a layup. Another 11-0 run put the Huskies up 72-16 with 12 minutes to go in the game. From that point on, UConn worked on it’s offense and continued it’s stellar defense in the game as they finished off the Seawolves.
Next up for the Huskies is a date on Wednesday against the Holy Cross Crusaders at 7:30 PM at Gampel Pavilion. The game will be broadcast on CPTV. After that, the Huskies will be off for 8 days until they take on Stanford in the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thanksgiving night.
Notes and Observations:
The starting five was Montgomery, Thomas, Charles, Greene and Hunter.
Charde Houston was not dressed but was on the bench. She was out with some lingering back issues and flu-like symptoms. Everyone else on the roster saw game action today.
Meghan Gardler has changed her number from 14 to 22.
Heather Buck will sign her 2008 letter-of-intent on Wednesday afternoon at Stonington High School. Elena Delle Donne, Caroline Doty and Tiffany Hayes are expected to fax their letters in as well. Once their letters are official, head coach Geno Auriemma can make comments about them.
UConn outscored Stony Brook 36-0 in the paint in the first half and 60-10 in the game.
UConn had 23 points off 16 Stony Brook turnovers in the first half and 42 points off 29 turnovers in the game.
Chris Dailey said at halftime the goal was to get to 100 points. They had 50 at the half. They didn’t quite make it as they finished with 98 points.
Stony Brook did not attempt a free throw in the game. The Huskies got to the line 10 times and converted 6 of them.
UConn’s bench outscored Stony Brook’s 40-14.
It costs CPTV $65,000 to do each game. They are broadcasting 24 games total this season.
The Huskies improve to 19-4 under Auriemma in season openers. The last loss came in 1995.
I was definitely with impressed with the play of Maya Moore. She can run the floor, play in the paint or on the outside, and she plays great defense. The last part will probably be the most pleasing thing to Auriemma. I don’t think we’ve seen a player like this at UConn since Diana Taurasi came in as a freshman. It’s definitely going to be a fun four years with Maya on the court.
I was also impressed with the speed of Lorin Dixon. Ketia Swanier is a fast player but I’d have to say Dixon is a lot faster. For someone who is 5’4″, she’s got a lot of hops too.
Mel Thomas looks to be releasing her shots even quicker than last year and with the Huskies having so many weapons on the court, it could be a long season for opposing defenses in deciding who to stop.
