It was UConn Huskies women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma’s 60th birthday on Sunday. So what did his team get for him on his special day?
Well they got him a win despite a sloppy start.
Breanna Stewart led five Huskies in double figures to help them to an easy 87-44 win over the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Gampel Pavilion.
UConn improves to 35-0 while the Lady Panthers finish their season at 14-18.
Stewart had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the No. 1 seed. Bria Hartley added 16 points while Moriah Jefferson had 14 points.
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had 13 points and eight rebounds. Stefanie Dolson rounded out the Huskies in double digits with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists.
LaReahn Washington led the Lady Panthers with 13 points. Alexus Parker had nine points while Asha Hampton-Finch had six points. Larissa Scott led Prairie View A&M with eight rebounds.
Despite their moments of carelessness early on, the Huskies raced out to a 15-0 lead before Gabrielle Scott put the Lady Panthers on the board with a jumper. UConn followed that up with an 8-0 run.
Things finally clicked for the Huskies as they continued to build their lead the rest of the half. They would enjoy a 32 point halftime lead as it was more of the same in the second half.
UConn will take on the St. Joseph’s Hawks in the Second Round on Tuesday night. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
UConn Huskies vs Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers 2014 NCAA Tournament First Round box score
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photo credit: cloe poisson – hartford courant
