Here are the highlights, or lowlights if you’re me, from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s 50-48 win over the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team in front of a sold-out crowd at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Sunday afternoon.
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New Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms. Same old stagnant UConn Huskies men’s basketball offense.
After losing two straight games, the Huskies were hoping the return of Ryan Boatright would give them a lift on both ends of the court. While he was able to do just that, other things in the game didn’t bounce UConn’s way.
A 13-0 run by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to start the second half helped them a 50-48 win over the Huskies in front of a sold-out XL Center in Hartford, CT on Sunday afternoon.
UConn had a few chances to take the lead or tie this one up late.
Trailing by three at 45-42 after a Boatright layup with 1:02 to go, Roscoe Smith stole the ball and got it to Shabazz Napier, who missed the three. Andre Drummond committed a foul and Pat Cannaughton hit both free throws to push their lead back to five.
After a Drummond dunk cut it back to three, the Huskies forced the Irish into a five second call. But Napier missed the three again and the Huskies had to foul sending Jerian Grant to the line where he hit both free throws to make a five-point advantage. Jeremy Lamb cut the Irish lead to two points with a three pointer with eight seconds left.
Lamb sent Grant to the line where he hit the first but missed the second free throw. Grant’s high basketball IQ came into play as he fouled Lamb instead of letting him get a good look at the three. Lamb made the first free throw but missed the second. He got his own rebound but his last ditch effort to tie the game bounced off the rim giving the Irish the win.
Lamb led all scorers in the game with 16 points and added five rebounds. Drummond added a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while blocking four shots.
Eric Atkins paced the Irish with 13 points while Grant had 11 points. Scott Martin chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds. Luke Harangody Scott Cooley also had seven rebounds while scoring eight points.
Alex Oriakhi got the Huskies on the board quickly out of the gate but then they went cold from the floor while the Irish took a 5-2 lead. The Huskies battled back to take a 6-5 lead before Notre Dame went on a 9-4 run to open up a four point lead at 14-10.
Once again, UConn came back as they scored six straight points to take a two point lead. Connaughton gave the Irish the lead with a three and five possessions the teams would exchange the lead with one nother. After a Notre Dame turnover with 28 seconds to go in the half, Boatright’s floater with one second left gave UConn a 24-21 halftime advantage.
But it was that 13-0 run to start the second half that buoyed the Irish to the win. It took UConn 7:10 to score in the second half and that came on a Drummond jumper.
When Boatright was out the UConn offense was terrible. They really weren’t any better with him.
The Irish played a zone for most of the game and as we know, UConn has trouble with them. They weren’t moving the ball at all, players were standing around and they couldn’t penetrate the zone at all. That tough Notre Dame defense forced the Huskies into some bad shots. And that all figured into the Irish’s 13-0 run to start the second half.
When the Huskies take the court next on Wednesday night, I’m pretty sure they’ll be unranked. And of course that game will come against a nationally-ranked Georgetown Hoyas squad at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
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Notes and musings:
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ UConn Huskies 1.29.12 box score
Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Jim Calhoun and Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey. Their also quotes from a few of the UConn players as well.
The starting five for the Huskies was Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, DeAndre Daniels, Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond.
After shooting 50% in the first half, UConn finished the game shooting 40.4% (19-47). The Irish shot 36.2% (17-47).
The Huskies had nine assists on their 19 made baskets.
UConn was 3-of-13 (23.1%) from beyond the arc while Notre Dame was 7-of-22 (31.8%).
The Huskies were 7-of-10 (70%) from the free throw line. The Irish were just as good at 9-of-12 (75%).
Notre Dame outrebounded UConn 33-29.
The Huskies outscored the Irish 26-10 in the paint while Notre Dame outscored UConn 9-2 on the fast break.
Notre Dame had nine second chance points to five for UConn.
The Huskies had eight points off of ten Irish turnovers. Notre Dame had 10 points off of nine turnovers.
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As we learned late yesterday afternoon, UConn Huskies freshman point guard Ryan Boatright had been reinstated to play effective immediately. Shortly after, the NCAA released a statement as well as timeline of the events surrounding their investigation into Boatright.
Well if you read the letter below from Boatright’s lawyer, Scott Tompsett, apparently their release contained some false info and that Boatright and his mother Tanesha may sue the NCAA.
I am astounded that the NCAA released confidential information about Ryan’s case. Ryan and his mother Tanesha cooperated fully with the NCAA with the clear understanding that the information they provided would be kept confidential and would not be released to the public. The NCAA has violated the Boatrights’ privacy by releasing their personal information.
Moreover, the NCAA’s statement contains false and misleading information. For example, the statement implies that the benefits in question were provided to influence Ryan’s decision either to attend UConn or chose an agent, if and when he goes pro. That is false and the NCAA knows it. In fact, the two individuals who provided the benefits are friends of the Boatrights. They were simply helping the family with no expectation of repayment or reciprocation. And there’s not a shred of evidence that they influenced Ryan’s decision to attend UConn or that they intend to represent Ryan if he ever goes pro. The public also should know that the NCAA never told Tanesha and Ryan who made the accusations about them or told them the substance of the accusations so they could defend themselves. Further, contrary to the NCAA’s statement, neither Tanesha nor Ryan received a car from anyone.
Until the NCAA released its statement, the Boatrights considered this matter closed. But the NCAA’s improper release of private and false information has caused the Boatrights to consider their legal options.
This whole situation involving Boatright has seemed fishy as it is. Now the NCAA allegedly making false statements makes it even more so.
When you read the NCAA’s statement, it sounds like Boatright should have never been “suspended” again.
It will be interesting to follow the developments of this if a lawsuit goes forward.
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Photo credit: UConn Huskies Facebook page
Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
It’s game day for the UConn men’s basketball team as they’ll host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this afternoon. Tip is scheduled for 12 p.m. and the game will be broadcast locally on SNY. Don’t forget, the Huskies will be wearing their new Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Boatright’s Back: ‘No Words to Describe It’ [David Borges – New Haven Register]
Susan Herbst on Boatright Situation [David Borges – New Haven Register]
Can Huskies Rediscover Confidence, Chemistry Vs. Notre Dame? [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]
Game preview: UConn men host Notre Dame [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]
Kemba Walker Triple-Double in loss to Wizards [UConn Huskies Basketball]
Time to put NCAA behind bars [CT Post]
Analysis: Boatright’s path to prosperity hasn’t been easy [CT Post]
UConn Men Get Lift From Boatright’s Return [Hartford Courant]
Boatright reinstated after receiving more than $8,000 in cash, impermissible benefits [New Haven Register]
All is clear for UConn’s Ryan Boatright [The Day]
UConn Men’s Basketball Glance [The Hour]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Dolson has a monster game against USF [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Emotional day for Tiffany Hayes, Huskies [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
A week to remember for Breanna Stewart [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Patriots’ Aaron Hernandez Once Called Geno “Coach” [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
An Emotional Day For Tiffany Hayes [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Riding The Road To Redemption [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Howard’s Memory A Source Of Motivation For Hayes [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Dolson, Hayes lead UConn to 77-62 win over South Florida [CT Post]
UConn women: What we learned [CT Post]
Huskies Beat Bulls Inside And Out [Hartford Courant]
Auriemma Has Connection To Patriots’ Hernandez [Hartford Courant]
Emotional Hayes shines on slain friend Jasper Howard’s birthday [New Haven Register]
UConn’s Tiffany Hayes (33 points): ‘Play every play’ [The Day]
UConn Football links
JUCO TE Neil Shortell Of Butler County (Kansas) CC Commits To UConn [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Football Recruits Gutierrez, Clax At Basketball Game Today [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
WR Ricky Gutierrez, son of the former MLB player, Commits To UConn [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Beatty’s hard work has helped him shed ‘soft’ label [CT Post]
Casey Cochran: State High School Favorite Aims For UConn Success [Hartford Courant]
UConn Football Recruits [Hartford Courant]
Other UConn related links
Baseball. Red Sox Bobby Valentine Highlights Preseason Baseball Dinner [UConnHuskies.com]
W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Open Weekend With 2-0 Loss at PC [UConnHuskies.com]
W. Track. Heather Wilson Brings Home 800m Title At PSU [UConnHuskies.com]
M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Hockey Sweeps Holy Cross With 3-0 Victory [UConnHuskies.com]
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By Brian Ring
Hartford, CT, January 28, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale were defeated by the Springfield Falcons, 2-1, Saturday night before a season-high crowd of 11,181 at the XL Center in Hartford. Maksim Mayorov scored the game-winning goal for Springfield in a low-scoring affair, with Mats Zuccarello tallying the only score for Connecticut.
The defeat sent the Whale to their eleventh straight loss since 2012 began (0-6-3-2).
“We make a mistake there late, an odd man rush and we pay the price for it,” said Whale head coach Ken Gernander. “Our margin of error isn’t one where we can afford a lot of mistakes.”
Springfield opened up a 1-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first period, as Tim Spencer deflected Theo Ruth’s shot from the point past Whale goaltender Cam Talbot (27 saves). Tomas Kubalik received the secondary assist on the goal, the only scoring play of the opening frame. The Falcons outshot the Whale, 8-7, in the first despite the Whale being afforded three power-plays to Springfield‘s one.
The teams were headed for a scoreless second period before Zuccarello’s stellar one-man effort tied the game for the Whale. Zuccarello cut down the left wing boards through the face-off circle, and despite being impeded by a Falcon’ defender, managed to slide the puck in between the legs of Falcons goaltender Paul Dainton (24 saves). Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Blake Parlett both assisted on the goal, Zuccarello’s ninth of the season.
Maksim Mayorov would give the Falcons a 2-1 lead 6:03 into the third period with the eventual game-winner, as he one-timed a pass from Cam Atkinson past Talbot. Martin St. Pierre set the whole play up with a long stretch pass to Atkinson, who perfectly timed his feed to Mayorov in front of the Whale net.
The Whale would not be able to get the equalizer the rest of the way, as Dainton stood tall in goal for the Falcons in a period that saw the home team outshoot Springfield, 14-12. Dainton made several key stops, including a game-saving effort on an Audy-Marchessault one-time bid.
“We’ve got to find a way to finish, do the little things, take advantage of this short break,” said Whale defenseman Jared Nightingale. “Every man in this locker room knows we can turn this thing around right away.”
Connecticut will now rest up during the AHL All-Star break, before returning to the XL Center to face the Albany Devils in a Northeast Division struggle on Friday (7:00).
Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.
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Springfield Falcons 2 at Connecticut Whale 1
Saturday, January 28, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Springfield 1 0 1 – 2
Connecticut 0 1 0 – 1
1st Period-1, Springfield, Spencer 2 (Ruth, MacLeod), 17:00. Penalties-Cullity Spr (slashing), 1:04; Thuresson Ct (delay of game), 8:52; Calvert Spr (high-sticking), 9:08; Dainton Spr (delay of game), 12:00.
2nd Period-2, Connecticut, Zuccarello 9 (Audy-Marchessault, Parlett), 18:08. Penalties-Audy-Marchessault Ct (tripping), 5:19; Garlock Spr (hooking), 8:22; Prout Spr (delay of game), 14:08; Calvert Spr (roughing), 20:00; Erixon Ct (roughing), 20:00.
3rd Period-3, Springfield, Mayorov 4 (Atkinson, St. Pierre), 6:03. Penalties-Drazenovic Spr (checking to the head), 7:25.
Shots on Goal-Springfield 8-9-12-29. Connecticut 7-4-14-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Springfield 0 / 2; Connecticut 0 / 6.
Goalies-Springfield, Dainton 4-2-0 (25 shots-24 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 9-11-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-11,181
Referees-Francis Charron (46).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Jim Briggs (83).
HARTFORD, January 28, 2012: Whalers Sports & Entertainment and the CT Hockey Hall of Fame today announced the seven inductees who have been selected to form the new 2012 class of enshrinees to the CT Hockey Hall of Fame. The newly-selected hall of famers will be honored at the Connecticut Whale’s March 10 home game at the XL Center vs. the Norfolk Admirals, which will be “CT Hockey Hall of Fame Night”.
The seven new CT Hockey Hall of Fame inductees are: Connecticut-bred Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, ex-Hartford Whalers 56-goal scorer Blaine Stoughton, former Whalers goaltender Mike Liut, former Whalers captain Pat Verbeek, Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack franchise icon, long-time captain and current head coach Ken Gernander, three-time Olympic medalist for Team USA and all-time NCAA women’s leading scorer Julie Chu, and one of the founders of the New England Whalers, William E. Barnes.
This new class of seven enshrinees will join the eight members of the storied Hartford Whalers Hall of Fame that have been adopted by the CT Hockey Hall of Fame.
Leetch, who was raised in Cheshire, CT, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. Leetch played prep school hockey at Avon Old Farms before going on to Boston College and an 18-year NHL career. Drafted ninth overall by the New York Rangers in 1986, Leetch would go on to become the highest-scoring defenseman, and second-highest-scoring player overall, in Ranger history. Leetch skated in 1,129 games for the Broadway Blueshirts in 17 seasons and totaled 741 assists, a franchise career record, along with 240 goals and 981 points, second only to Rod Gilbert’s 1,021 in Ranger history.
Leetch was captain of the Rangers from 1997-98 to 1999-00, and became the first American-born player ever to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1994, the year the Rangers ended a 53-year championship drought by winning the Stanley Cup. Following his Ranger tenure, and 15 games with Toronto in 2003-04, Leetch finished his career with the Bruins in 2005-06.
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Stoughton spent six seasons with the New England and Hartford Whalers, leading the NHL in goal scoring for Hartford during the 1979-80 season with 56. Stoughton would top 90 points twice in the NHL, and went on to skate in the 1982 All-Star Game. Stoughton would continue his relationship with Connecticut hockey during the 1984-85 season, in which he played for the New Haven Nighthawks.
Liut, a veteran of 15 WHA and NHL seasons, backstopped the Whalers from the 1984-85 season until 1989-90, guiding the Whalers to the seventh game of the Adams Division Championship series in 1986. Liut captured the Lester B. Pearson trophy during the 1980-81 season with St. Louis, and went on to post the NHL’s best goals-against average in 1989-90 with the Whalers (2.64). Following his playing career, Liut served three years at the University of Michigan as an assistant coach for their men’s hockey program.
Verbeek, a right wing hailing from Sarnia, Ontario, played six seasons for the Hartford Whalers from 1989-95 and ranks twelfth on the all-time list of games played as a Whaler with 433. Verbeek served as the eighth captain of the Whalers from 1992-95. Verbeek totaled 192 goals as a member of the Whalers, fourth all-time, and 211 assists, also good for fourth all-time. His 403 total points in a Hartford uniform ranks third in franchise history, behind Ron Francis and Kevin Dineen. Verbeek also registered 1,144 penalty minutes with the Whalers, also third all-time. He was selected to represent Hartford in the 1991 NHL All-Star Game in Chicago, recording one assist. A 19-year professional, Verbeek skated in a career total of 1,424 NHL contests with the New Jersey Devils, Whalers, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars, scoring 522 goals with 541 assists for 1,063 points, along with 2,905 penalty minutes, eleventh-most all-time in league history.
Gernander has been with the Whale/Wolf Pack since Day One and is the only player in franchise history to have his number (12) retired and raised to the XL Center rafters. Gernander played the last 11 of his 14 professional seasons in the New York Rangers organization with their AHL affiliates in Binghamton (1994-97) and Hartford (1997-2005). He was team captain for 10 years, eight in Hartford, and is the franchise’s all-time leader in shorthanded goals (14), plus-minus (plus-93), games played (599) and playoff games played (78). He also ranks second all-time in goals (160), assists (187), points (347), power-play goals (50) and game-winning goals (30).
After retiring as a player after the 2004-05 season, Gernander was an assistant coach under Jim Schoenfeld for three years and is now in his fifth season as head coach, the longest-tenured head man in franchise history. He retired as the AHL’s all-time leader in career playoff games played (123), and is the second all-time leading scorer among American-born players with 624 points in 973 games.
Chu, born in Bridgeport, Conn., became the all-time leading women’s scorer in NCAA history during her time at Harvard University while serving as team captain, and played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics for Team USA. Among her many awards and accolades, Chu has been named a four-time All American, is the all-time NCAA assist leader, a three-time NCAA Frozen Four finalist, and won an NCAA championship as an assistant coach with the University of Minnesota-Duluth women’s team during the 2007-08 season. Chu has played professionally for the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s Montreal Stars.
Barnes was a founding partner of the original New England Whalers along with Howard Baldwin, going on to spend time with the New York Islanders and winning a pair of Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 1990’s. Barnes, serving as the Vice President of Marketing for the Whalers, played a key role in developing the Whalers’ logo during the 1979-80 season and was known around the league as the “Dean of NHL Marketing Directors.” He earned this designation with such innovations as integrating telemarketing into ticket sales strategies, and by being a leader in the development of dasher-board and in-ice advertising.
Barnes was involved in a number of charitable organizations before his passing in 2006.
This will be the first class of inductees since 1990, and further details are available at cthockeyHOF.org.
There will be an induction ceremony before the March 10 CT Hockey Hall of Fame Night game, which faces off at 7:00 PM, and the new inductees will also be recognized on the ice during the first intermission.
Fans can take home a special souvenir of the March 10 night, as 5,000 Hall of Fame posters will be given away, courtesy of SuperCuts.
There will also be a special meet-and-greet event on March 10 — details to be announced soon.
Tickets to CT Hockey Hall of Fame Night, and all 2011-12 Whale home games, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.
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Earlier on Saturday, the NCAA and UConn announced that UConn Huskies men’s basketball freshman guard Ryan Boatright had been cleared to play after the latest investigation. Now the NCAA has issued a press release explaining the entire situation.
Here’s the release from the NCAA:
This situation involves many of the specific concerns expressed by NCAA membership regarding improper third party influence over student-athletes and their families. Specifically, it included more than $8,000 in cash and other impermissible benefits, including a car. These benefits – which are not allowed because they are inconsistent with the principles and values embraced by the NCAA membership – were provided to Boatright and his mother both before and while he was at Connecticut. These impermissible benefits were provided by at least two individuals linked to nonscholastic basketball and professional sports.
Boatright was granted limited immunity by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, a committee comprised of NCAA members. The limited immunity allowed him to avoid missing a significant number of games and repaying the impermissible benefits. It was granted in an effort to gather information regarding third party involvement. Limited immunity is an important yet selectively used tool for the enforcement staff to gather information that would not otherwise be available.
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The timeline is below:
• Early Oct. 2011: Connecticut and the NCAA enforcement staff began interviewing individuals and collecting documentation based on numerous credible allegations indicating that several impermissible benefits had been provided to the student-athlete and his mother. The source of the allegations had also provided a significant amount of documentation to substantiate the claims.
• Early Nov. 2011: The NCAA enforcement staff agreed with Connecticut that the student-athlete should not be allowed to compete based on the evidence collected as of that date. While all the relevant information requested from his mother had not been received, the NCAA agreed with Connecticut that it was in the best interests of the student-athlete to go ahead and process the known violations while waiting for the other requested records.
• Nov. 18, 2011: Boatright was reinstated by the NCAA with the condition of a six game withholding and repayment of $4,500 in impermissible benefits to charity. Connecticut had declared Boatright ineligible for preferential treatment violations from two different individuals. The impermissible benefits included travel expenses for his mother during four official visits to NCAA schools and approximately $1,200. In addition, Boatright was provided travel expenses, hotel, meals and training expenses during a two-night trip to California.
• Nov. 26, 2012: Boatright returns to competition.
• Jan. 11, 2012: Boatright’s mother, through her attorney, provided additional requested documents.
• Jan. 13, 2012: After a review of those records, the NCAA enforcement staff and Connecticut confirmed that an inappropriate source had been making car payments on behalf of Boatright’s mother as had been originally reported by the source. At this time, UCONN decided to withhold him from competition.
• Jan. 16, 2012: After considering all of the facts and circumstances known at that time, including the fact that the student-athlete was likely the least culpable actor, the enforcement staff extended an offer of immunity to the student-athlete conditioned on full, complete and truthful cooperation by the student-athlete and his mother in pursuing the remaining allegations.
• Jan. 17 and 19, 2012: To clarify some remaining concerns, Boatright and his mother were re-interviewed by the NCAA enforcement staff and Connecticut representatives.
• Jan. 27, 2012, 7 p.m.: Both the student-athlete and his mother sent the enforcement staff additional records.
• Jan. 28, 2012 at 2 p.m.: After reviewing the additional records, the enforcement staff notified the university that the NCAA staff believed that the student-athlete and his mother had fulfilled the conditions of immunity and therefore, the student-athlete was again eligible for competition.
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After 15 days, Ryan Boatright finally got the news he’s been looking for. He’s been cleared to play effective immediately.
UConn released the following statement around 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon:
“UConn freshman guard Ryan Boatright has been reinstated for intercollegiate competition through a cooperative effort of the NCAA, the University of Connecticut and Boatright. Boatright will be eligible for UConn’s game against Notre Dame Sunday at the XL Center. The University of Connecticut will have no further comment on this matter.”
While it doesn’t appear he was actually suspended for anything, the time he missed is essentially a “three-game suspension”.
Without Boatright this time around, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team went 1-2 and definitely missed him.
Now that’s he returning, Shabazz Napier can get a little rest if he needs it. It also means head coach Jim Calhoun can use his press a little more if he needs to now that the speedy Boatright is back on the court.
Boatright returns just in time to wear the new Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms that the Huskies will be wearing tomorrow afternoon against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
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Photo credit: Bettina Hansen – Hartford Courant (No. 2 in gallery)
The patented knockout run never came for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team on the run. The South Florida Bulls weren’t going away. So something had to give.
That something turned out to be the play of senior Tiffany Hayes.
After scoring a career-high 35 points her last time out, Hayes was doing her best to outscore the Bulls in the second half. She ended up scoring 22 of her 33 points in the second half to help the Huskies beat the Bulls 77-62 in front of 13,627 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the No. 3 Huskies improve to 19-2 (8-1 Big East). The Bulls fall to 12-10 (4-4).
Hayes, who played all but one minute in the game, also added 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Stefanie Dolson had a great down in the post as she put up her first double-double of the season with 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. She also had three assists and three blocked shots.
Despite a rough shooting afternoon, Bria Hartley had eight points, six rebounds and a team-high six assists.
Caitlin Rowe paced the Bulls with a career-high 20 points while Inga Orekhova had 16 points and five rebounds. Jasmine Wynne added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Huskies went to Dolson early and often at the start of the game as she scored the eight of the first 10 points the team scored. But the Ukranian Orekhova kept the Bulls in this one with her three point shooting. With UConn holding a 14-10 lead, Orekhova hit two three-pointers, including one that she was fouled on to put USF in front 17-14.
UConn would use a 12-0 run to open up a nine point lead at 26-17. The Huskies would push their lead to 10 points but the Bulls would not go away. They would battle back and cut UConn’s lead down to three points at 36-33 going into the break.
USF would cut the lead to one right away out of halftime but UConn would use a 17-5 run to take control. While the Huskies wouldn’t get their biggest lead of the game at 17 points until late in the second half, their lead would hover in the low double digits for the rest of the way. They did this behind the play of Hayes who at one point had scored the same amount of points that the Bulls had in the second half (17).
Establishing Dolson early in this game was key for the Huskies. I’ve said in the past if you can get her going the rest of the offense will come. That’s what happened on Saturday.
Right now Hayes is probably playing the best basketball of her four-year career in a UConn uniform. She’s playing with no fear right and there’s probably not anyone out there in the country who can guard her. She’s driving to the hoop and getting fouled, converting her free throws which is something head coach Geno Auriemma likes to see.
The Huskies won’t have long to enjoy this win. They’ll get right back to it tomorrow in practice in prepartion for Monday’s game in Durham, NC where they’ll take on the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will televised nationally on ESPN2.
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Notes and musings:
South Florida Bulls @ UConn Huskies 1.28.12 box score
Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and USF coach Jose Fernandez. There are also player quotes there as well.
The starting five for the Huskies was the same one for all but one game this season. It was Bria Hartley, Caroline Doty, Tiffany Hayes, Kelly Faris and Stefanie Dolson.
Hayes’ 68 points in the last two games is the most in UConn women’s basketball history.
Hayes is now 13th on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 1,589 points. She passed Swin Cash on Saturday (1,583).
This was UConn’s 97th consecutive home win and 59th straight Big East home win.
The Huskies have won 172 straight games against unranked opponents.
The win for Auriemma was his 790th which is sixth best all time in NCAA Women’s Basketball history.
UConn shot 43.5% (27-62) from the floor while the Bulls shot 32.8% (21-64).
The Huskies had 19 assists on their 27 made baskets.
UConn was 19-of-21 (90.5%) at the free throw line. Both misses were by Hayes who went 11-of-13.
The Huskies were just 4-of-20 (20%) from beyond the arc. The Bulls were much better there going 10-of-26 (38.5%). Inga Orekhova (5) and Caitlin Rowe (4) combined for nine of them.
UConn dominated the boards, outrebounding USF 53-28.
The Huskies outscored the Bulls 32-16 in the paint while USF outscored UConn 11-6 in the paint.
UConn had 22 second chance points to just eight for the Bulls.
The Huskies had 16 points off of 12 USF turnovers. The Bulls had 17 points off of 18 UConn turnovers.
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Photo credit: David Butler II – US Presswire (No. 5 in gallery)
Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they’ll host the South Florida Bulls this afternoon at the XL Center. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised locally in Connecticut on CPTV.
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UConn Women’s Basketball links
Doty glad hiatus was a brief one [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Tiffany Hayes Is Sprinting To The Tape [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Caroline Doty Cleared To Play Saturday Vs. South Florida [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Game preview: UConn women vs. USF [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]
Chat With Auriemma Has Hayes Surging [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Doty Cleared to Play; Will Have No Limitations Vs. South Florida [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Stokes Has Refined Her Work Ethic; Huskies Taking Notice [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
No. 3 Huskies Return To XL Center On Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn’s Stokes starting to make an impact [CT Post]
Tiffany Hayes Becoming UConn’s Go-To Player [Hartford Courant]
Hayes Moving Up [Hartford Courant]
D-lightful [Journal Inquirer]
Rare honor for Stewart [Journal Inquirer]
Kelly Faris fills many roles [New Haven Register]
UConn Women’s Basketball Glance — South Florida at UConn [The Hour]
Ex-Winter Haven standout Tiffany Hayes, UConn’s lone senior, works to uphold Huskies’ lofty status [Tampa Bay Times]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
No Resolution on Ryan Boatright … Yet [David Borges – New Haven Register]
Tony Robertson Joins Huskies Alumni In Practice [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]
Ryan Boatright Held Hostage: Day 14 [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]
Boatright remains in limbo, other UConn news, video [Gavin Keefe – The Day]
Notes/Quotes from Jan. 27: No resolution on Boatright [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]
Boatright still out; Huskies prep for ND [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Boatright wait goes on for UConn [CT Post]
UConn men’s notebook: Huskies focus on inside game [CT Post]
Frustration Mounts As Boatright Situation Lingers [Hartford Courant]
‘Boat’ show still on hold [Journal Inquirer]
UConn Football links
DC answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Former UConn Football Player Arrested In Child Porn Investigation [Hartford Courant]
NFL Player Has a Rubber Duck Collection [NBC Connecticut]
Other UConn related links
Baseball. Mazzilli Selected Preseason All-American by Perfect Game [UConnHuskies.com]
Baseball. A Big League Pep Talk From Bobby Valentine [Hartford Courant]
Baseball. Bobby V proud of UConn sports [New Haven Register]
M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Defeat Holy Cross, 3-1 [UConnHuskies.com]
W. Track. Holder Leads Huskies First Day At PSU Invite [UConnHuskies.com]
M. Track. Kyle Twombly Leads Huskies To First Place [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn closing in on candidates to interview for AD job [CT Post]
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