Geno Auriemma usually tries to get a homecoming game for his players during their 4 years at UConn. There’s been times where it hasn’t happened because teams don’t want to play UConn. This year he was able to get a game for Kalana Greene in her home state of South Carolina.
Greene and the No. 1 UConn Huskies made her hometown fans proud as they easily beat the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks 79-48 in front of 5,113 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC.
The win for the Huskies improves their record to 11-0 for the third straight year while the Dawn Staley-led Gamecocks fall to 6-5.
Greene only had 5 points and 5 rebounds in her return to South Carolina. After struggling the past two games, Tina Charles had a monster afternoon as she finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Maya Moore had another good all around game as she had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocked shots. Renee Montgomery chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists while Tiffany Hayes rounded out the Huskies in double-digits with 11 points.
The Lady Gamecoks were led by Samone Kennedy and Lakeisha Sutton who both had 11 points. Jewel May added 8 points and 5 rebounds while Brionna Dickerson had 7 points.
The Gamecocks held tough early on exchanging the lead with UConn 3 times. With the ‘Cocks leading 7-6, the Huskies went on a 12-0 run to get the game under control. They actually outscored South Carolina 31-12 from that point to take a 37-19 lead at the half.
The first half was controlled by the play of Charles and Moore who combined for 26 of the Huskies 39 points. Charles actually had a double-double in the 1st half.
The Huskies will finally return back to Storrs are having been away for 15 days as they will prepare to take on Jen Rizzotti and her Hartford Hawks on New Years Eve afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 PM and the game will be broadcast locally on CPTV.
Notes and musings:
UConn Huskies @ South Carolina Gamecocks 12.28.08 box score
The starters were the normal 5 of Renee Montgomery, Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, Maya Moore and Tina Charles.
Caroline Doty was limited to just 13 minutes due feeling a bit under the weather.
Jacquie Fernandes missed the game for the Huskies with an ankle injury suffered in practice on Saturday.
The victory improved Auriemma’s record as a head coach to 668-122; his winning percentage of .846 is the best among active coaches.
While the Huskies played their last 5 games away from home, this was only the 2nd true road game of the season for them. The other was BYU.
The Huskies are 78-9 on the road since Feb. 1, 2001.
The double-double for Charles was the 28th of her career.
The Huskies have won 97 straight games over non-ranked opponents.
UConn moves to 204-11 all-time when playing as the nation’s No. 1 ranked team in the Associated Press Top 25.
UConn opens the season 11-0 for the third straight year and the 10th time in the last 13 seasons overall.
The 77 points by the Huskies tied their season low.
UConn shot 56.5% (35-of-62) from the floor while the Gamecocks shot 36.7% (18-of-49).
The Huskies had 20 assists on their 35 made baskets.
UConn won the battle of the boards 33-30
The Huskies were 4-of-8 from the charity stripe.
UConn forced 22 Gamecocks’ turnovers in 28 points while committing 11 of their own.
The Huskies outscored South Carolina 29-2 on the fastbreak and 56-18 in the paint.
