After Notre Dame stepped up its defense on Maya Moore, who scored the Huskies first 15 points, Tina Charles took over the game for the Huskies as she led them past the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame 81-64 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Joyce Center in South Bend, IN.
After exchanging baskets for the first 9 minutes of the half, UConn took over the game as Notre Dame went cold from the floor. After the Fighting Irish figured out how to stop Moore, Charles said it’s my time, y’all. She scored 9 points during a 22-4 run which put the Irish away. Notre Dame went without a field goal for 10:52 during the big run for the Huskies. UConn went cold for about a four minute span but got back on the scoreboard behind two Brittany Hunter baskets. Notre Dame finally got a basket with 21 seconds left as Lindsay Schrader made a basket to get the Irish within 18 points at 41-25. The Huskies went into the break with a 43-27 lead at the break.
Renee Montgomery spent most of the first half on the bench for UConn as she was whistled for two early fouls.
Notre Dame tried to make a game of it in the second half as they got the game to within 12 points. Unfortunately for them, they started to turn the ball over and the Huskies took full advantage. Montgomery got the Huskies going as she led them on a 12-0 run. The Huskies eventually increased the lead to 25 points but Notre Dame tried to close the gap to no avail.
Charles led the way for UConn (19-0, 6-0 Big East) with 22 points and 8 rebounds. She has 13 of those 22 points in the first half. Moore scored all of her 15 points in the first half as she was unable to shake the Notre Dame defenders. She also picked up two quick fouls to find a spot on the bench in the second half. Montgomery, who scored all 12 of her points in the second half, was the catalyst in the second half besides Charles. Hunter made a triumphant return to the court as she scored 11 points in just 14 minutes. Ketia Swanier had a great game off the bench with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals.
Notre Dame (15-5, 3-3) was paced by Ashley Barrow who had 15 points. Charel Allen chipped in with 11 points while Schrader added 10 points. Devereaux Peters had the only double-double of the game with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Great win for the Huskies on the road. It seems as though they have found ways to play with Kalana Greene and Mel Thomas, both of whom are out for the season with ACL injuries.
The Huskies return home to the XL Center on Wednesday night when the South Florida Bulls come to town. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM and the game will be televised locally on CPTV.
Notes and observations:
The starters were Lorin Dixon, Renee Montgomery, Maya Moore, Brittany Hunter and Tina Charles.
Charde Houston hurt her thumb in practice this week but still saw action in the game tonight. She had 6 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Mel Thomas and Kalana Greene both made the trip with the Huskies to South Bend.
The last time the Huskies dropped a conference road contest was Feb. 27, 2006 at Rutgers (48-42).
UConn came into the game 266th in the nation at the free throw line (63.5%). They were 12-of-15 (80%) in the game. Notre Dame was a little better at the line tonight as they were 15-of-16 (93.8%).
The Huskies have won 32 straight games.
UConn’s last loss as the number 1 team was against Villanova in 2004.
After shooting 38% in their last game, the Huskies shot 48.4% (31-64) while holding Notre Dame to 33.8% (23-68) from the floor.
Despite winning by 17, the Huskies were outrebounded 41-38.
UConn had 19 assists on the 31 made baskets.
Both teams had 18 turnovers in the game. UConn turned the turnovers into 18 points.
The Huskies had 11 steals.
