Video: UConn Women Handle UCLA With Ease in 86-50

The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team was getting ready to head home for the holidays. But first they had some business to take care of in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Sunday afternoon.

Their opponent, the UCLA Bruins, didn’t prove to be that much of a match as UConn went on to an easy 86-50 win in front 8,015 and a nationally televised audience.

The Huskies, who will head home for the holidays for a few days, improve to 8-1. The Bruins fall to 4-6.

Breanna Stewart led UConn with 22 points and five blocked shots. Gabby Williams came off the bench to add 12 points and seven rebounds while Kia Nurse had 11 points and a team-high six assists. Morgan Tuck added 10 points and six rebounds.

Kiah Stokes, whose father said all he wanted was a double-double on Sunday from his daughter, gave her dad what he wanted as she had 10 points and 10 assists.

Kari Korver, cousin of NBA player Kyle Korver, led UCLA with 14 points. Jordin Canada was the only other Bruin in double digits with 12 points. Monique Billings paced the Bruins with six rebounds to go along with five points.

The Huskies will return back to action on Saturday afternoon when they begin American Athletic Conference play as they’ll host the SMU Mustangs at the XL Center. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.

UCLA Bruins vs UConn Huskies 12/21/14 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma.

Video: UConn Women Have Played One True Home Game

UConn F Breanna Stewart (30) puts up a three-pointer in the first half against DePaul at Webster Bank Arena.

If you look at the UConn Huskies women’s basketball schedule and take away the exhibition games as well as Friday night’s game in Bridgeport, CT, they have only played one home game. And that was on November 23 against the Creighton Blue Jays.

Later on Sunday afternoon, the UConn women will play another “home game”. This time at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT against the UCLA Bruins at 5 p.m.

Their next true home game will come this Saturday at the XL Center when they’ll open up American Athletic Conference play against the SMU Mustangs. They won’t play again on campus at Gampel Pavilion until January 14, 2015 when they’ll host Temple.

Watch and/or listen below as head coach Geno Auriemma and Breanna Stewart talk about what it’s like to play “home games” at these different venues.

photo credit: ©2014 Ian Bethune

Video: UConn’s Breanna Stewart Back To Being Herself

UConn F Breanna Stewart (30) fights for position against DePaul G Brittany Hyrnko (12) as she awaits a pass from Moriah Jefferson (4) in the second half at Webster Bank Arena.

The past four games or so, UConn Huskies women’s basketball All-American Breanna Stewart hadn’t quite been herself.

Sure the team was winning, but Stewart wasn’t being Stewart. The one that was aggressive all the time, having the offense flow through her, scoring lots of points, etc.

On Friday night in the 98-64 win over the DePaul Blue Demons, Stewart had 21 of her 25 points in the first half and looked like the old Stewart we all know.

Watch and/or listen below as head coach Geno Auriemma, Stewart and Kia Nurse talk about the difference in Stewart’s play.

Video: Doug Bruno Says UConn Women Are “Best Team in Country”

DePaul head coach Doug Bruno argues a call in the first half during the game with UConn at Webster Bank Arena.

After his team was beat 98-64 by the UConn Huskies, DePaul Blue Demons women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno said that the Huskies are the best team in the country and the national championship runs through Storrs, CT.

Watch and/or listen below as Bruno talks about that as well as UConn women’s head coach Geno Auriemma and Breanna Stewart’s reaction to Bruno’s comments.

Malone Nets OT Winner For Wolf Pack Against Phantoms

Hartford, CT, December 20, 2014 – Ryan Malone’s three-on-three overtime goal lifted the Hartford Wolf Pack to a 2-1 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Saturday at the XL Center.

Malone jammed in the rebound of an Oscar Lindberg bid at 4:56 of the OT to secure the win. Chad Nehring scored the other Hartford goal, and Cedrick Desjardins made 25 saves. Zack Stortini scored the only Phantom goal, and Anthony Stolarz stopped 24 shots in the Lehigh Valley net.

Hartford assistant coach Jeff Beukeboom said of Desjardins’ performance, “I thought that was probably his best outing of this year as far as how solid he was, how he came up with all the saves when he needed to. I thought we weren’t very good early and he made some big saves.”

Just as the first period was wrapping up, Stortini gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead. It was Nick Cousins who was digging for the puck in the right-wing corner when he found Stortini, who beat Desjardins from in front for his tenth point of the season.

Near the halfway point of the second period, Nehring tied the game at one. It was Conor Allen battling for the puck along the boards and throwing it to the front of the net. Nehring was battling for position and was able to get a stick on the puck to tip it over Stolarz’s shoulder.

“We have a tendency sometimes to look for the easy game. We have a skilled team so I think we got our nose dirty there,” said Malone.

On the overtime winner, Malone was able to bang the puck past Stolarz from the side of the crease. Mat Bodie sent the puck over to Oscar Lindberg, who fired the puck on net from the right circle. Malone was there and kept throwing the rebound at the net until it finally crossed the goal line.

“I think we’re starting to figure it out, jell a little bit, and making sure all five guys on the ice are on the same page and it’s all about continually doing the little things right,” said Malone. “A lot of games that we lost are really taking a lot of bad penalties or turnovers, and really beat ourselves. So we’re trying to eliminate that and we’re getting results.”

The Wolf Pack’s next game is this Friday night, December 26, as the Pack host the Springfield Falcons at the XL Center. Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and Fridays mean $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period.

Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2 (OT)
Saturday, December 20, 2014 – XL Center

Lehigh Valley 1 0 0 0 – 1
Hartford 0 1 0 1 – 2

1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, Stortini 4 (Cousins, Leier), 19:39. Penalties-Alt Lv (tripping), 4:15.

2nd Period-2, Hartford, Nehring 2 (Allen, O’Donnell), 10:06. Penalties-Lindberg Hfd (holding), 1:35; Stortini Lv (slashing), 2:57; Nehring Hfd (hooking), 14:11; Rosehill Lv (tripping), 17:42.

3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Allen Hfd (tripping), 4:09; Hagg Lv (hooking), 6:28.

OT Period-3, Hartford, Malone 2 (Lindberg, Bodie), 4:56. Penalties-Powe Lv (roughing), 3:10; Kostka Hfd (roughing), 3:10.

Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 10-7-5-4-26. Hartford 8-9-6-3-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 3; Hartford 0 / 4.
Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Stolarz 5-5-0 (26 shots-24 saves). Hartford, Desjardins 8-3-1 (26 shots-25 saves).
A-3,562
Referees-Evgeny Romasko (6).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Glen Cooke (6).

2014-15 Bowl Swag

With the 2014-15 college football bowl season getting underway on Saturday afternoon, are you curious to know what your favorite college football team will receive as gifts for playing in a 2014-15 college football bowl game this year?

The NCAA allows the bowls to give the players gifts who total value cannot be more than $550. The schools and conferences can also provide up to $400 in gifts each as well.

BOWL	GIFT SUITE	GIFT(S)
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch
Gildan New Mexico Bowl	Yes	AudioSource Sound portable/mobile speaker; mobile phone charger; Oakley Works backpack; Oakley Enduro sunglasses/beanie; cap; Gildan blanket
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl	Yes	Oakley Works backpack
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	Yes	Ohio backpack; winter coat; winter gloves; winter beanie; Big Game football
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch; cap; souvenir pylon; football
Miami Beach Bowl	No	Under Armour sunglasses; Under Armour cap; Oakley Halifax backpack; electronics product
Boca Raton Bowl	Yes	n/a
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl	No	$395 Best Buy gift card; Fossil watch; cap
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl	Yes	Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; New Era 39Thirty cap
Hawaii Bowl	Yes	Oakley Holbrook sunglasses; Oakley Works backpack; Tori Richard aloha shirt; Pro Athletics t-shirt/shorts/swim trunks; beach towel
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl	Yes	Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; beanie; Big Game football
Quick Lane Bowl	No	$250 Best Buy gift card; Sony headphones; custom-made Fathead for each player with their likeness; various apparel; football
Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl	Yes	Oakley Breadbox sunglasses; Oakley Works backpack
Military Bowl	No	Microsoft Xbox One console; Under Armour backpack; Might Boom Ball speakers; beanie
Hyundai Sun Bowl	Yes	Timely Watch Co. watch; Ogio Politan backpack; Helen of Troy hair dryer; Majestic fleece pullover; Top of the World cap
Duck Commander Independence Bowl	Yes	Timely Watch Co. watch; New Era ski cap; football
New Era Pinstripe Bowl	No	Variety of New Era products
National University Holiday Bowl	No	$445 Best Buy gift card and shopping trip; Fossil watch; cap
AutoZone Liberty Bowl	No	Sol Republic Deck Ultra wireless bluetooth speaker; Bulova watch; Nike athletic shoes/sport sandals/backpack; game ball
Russell Athletic Bowl	No	$447 Best Buy gift card and shopping trip; watch; athletic performance shirt
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl	Yes	adidas Team Speed duffel bag; cap; belt buckle
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch
Belk Bowl	No	Shopping trip to Belk department store; Fossil watch
Foster Farms Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl	No	$300 Vanilla Visa gift card; Chick-fil-A gift card; Apple TV; Fossil watch; football
Vizio Fiesta Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch; Ogio Rogue backpack
Capital One Orange Bowl	Yes	Tourneau watch
Outback Bowl	No	$150 Best Buy gift card; Outback Steakhouse gift card; Fossil watch; Jostens rings; cap
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic	n/a	Information not available; bowl committee would not disclose
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl	No	$447 Best Buy gift card and shopping trip; watch; athletic performance shirt
Rose Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch; Oakley Works backpack; New Era 59Fifty cap
Allstate Sugar Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch; New Era cap
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl	Yes	Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; beanie; Big Game football
TaxSlayer Bowl	Yes	Panasonic gift suite; Fossil watch
Valero Alamo Bowl	No	GoPro Hero4 Silver camera and 32 GB memory card; Fossil watch; Oakley Works backpack; Schutt mini helmet; panoramic photo
TicketCity Cactus Bowl	Yes	Fossil watch; Ogio Rogue backpack
Birmingham Bowl	Yes	Oakley sunglasses; beanie; hooded sweatshirt; Big Game football
GoDaddy Bowl	No	Sol Republic Tracks Air wireless/bluetooth on-ear headphones; watch; Coleman chair; military style backpack; Wilson football
CFP Championship game	n/a	Information not available; bowl committee would not disclose

H/T to Sports Business Journal

Photos-WBB: UConn Huskies vs DePaul Blue Demons – 12/19/14

UConn F Breanna Stewart (30) puts up a three-pointer over DePaul G Jessica January (14) in the first half at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT.

Here are the photos from the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team’s 98-64 win over the DePaul Blue Demons on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT.

To see full size picture or slide show, please click on image
(mobile/tablet users: to scroll through photos, you can swipe left or right; to remove caption, tap photo.)

Crunch Shutout Wolf Pack, 2-0

By Zack Grenier

Hartford, CT, December 19, 2014 – Kristers Gudlevskis made 24 saves Friday night at the XL Center, to backstop the Syracuse Crunch to a 2-0 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Wolf Pack, who got 22 saves from Mackenzie Skapski. The only offense in the game came from second-period Syracuse goals by Tanner Richard and Vladislav Namestnikov. The victory was the Crunch’s eighth straight.

The first period ended with neither team getting much of any offense going. In the second period, the Wolf Pack took four penalties and were unable to sustain any attack.

“Their power play had one goal and then they generated momentum, and our power play didn’t generate any momentum” said Hartford’s Chris Mueller. “If you can’t score you want to generate momentum for the team, but we didn’t do it and they did. Special teams, they won, and five on five, they won too. So overall it wasn’t a good game for our hockey club.”

Syracuse struck first with 17:48 left in the second period. It was Richard who ended the scoreless game, when he was sprung on a breakaway just after a Wolf Pack power play had ended. Richard went to his forehand and Skapski made the original save, but the rebound beat him.

“We didn’t gain any momentum from them (power play opportunities,” said Hartford assistant coach Jeff Beukeboom. “Whatever momentum we may have gained, which we didn’t, certainly went by the wayside with that goal.”

Namestnikov was able to extend the Crunch lead to two when he put home a slap shot on the power play at 10:23. Skapski was able to put a pad on the puck, but it tipped off of the top of his leg pad and hit the top of the net to give the Crunch a 2-0 lead.

“When you hold a team to two goals at home it should be enough,” said Beukeboom.

Cedrick Desjardins will get the start Saturday when the Pack take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

“We got to regroup and we have a big game, so if we get these two points, in the last three weeks we can say it’s a pretty good finish in December,’” said Mueller. “We have to put this one behind us and learn from our mistakes and get two points tomorrow.”

The Wolf Pack/Phantoms game at the XL Center Saturday has a special faceoff time of 5:00 PM, and the Wolf Pack will be holding a birthday celebration for Sonar, their beloved mascot, featuring appearances by other mascots from around the AHL.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

Syracuse Crunch 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 0
Friday, December 19, 2014 – XL Center

Syracuse 0 2 0 – 2
Hartford 0 0 0 – 0

1st Period- No Scoring. Penalties-R. Bourque Hfd (boarding), 9:16; Paradis Syr (fighting), 17:28; Nehring Hfd (fighting), 17:28; Smith Syr (roughing, roughing), 20:00; Malone Hfd (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period-1, Syracuse, Richard 5 (Koekkoek), 2:12. 2, Syracuse, Namestnikov 3 (Nesterov, Marchessault), 10:23 (PP). Penalties-Corrente Syr (boarding), 2:36; McIlrath Hfd (hooking), 5:54; Mormina Syr (tripping), 6:56; Allen Hfd (tripping), 7:36; Hughes Hfd (tripping), 9:09; Cote Syr (tripping), 13:38; O’Donnell Hfd (holding), 16:34; Nesterov Syr (hooking), 17:17.

3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Smith Syr (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct), 1:59; Spinell Hfd (roughing), 1:59; Mormina Syr (fighting), 4:26; Malone Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 4:26; Gourde Syr (roughing, misconduct – continuing altercation), 7:20; O’Donnell Hfd (roughing, misconduct – continuing altercation), 7:20; Paradis Syr (hooking), 10:02.

Shots on Goal-Syracuse 12-9-3-24. Hartford 7-8-9-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Syracuse 1 / 6; Hartford 0 / 6.
Goalies-Syracuse, Gudlevskis 10-4-0 (24 shots-24 saves). Hartford, Skapski 6-5-0 (24 shots-22 saves).
A-2,707
Referees-Peter MacDougall (57).
Linesmen-Paul Simeon (66), Derek Wahl (46).

Video: UConn Women Shake Off Early Rust To Rout DePaul, 98-64

UConn F Breanna Stewart (30) puts up a jumper against the DePaul Blue Demons in the first half at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT on December 19, 2014.

Judging by the score at the first television timeout, you wouldn’t have thought that Friday night’s game between the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team and the DePaul Blue Demons would have been a blowout.

The Huskies started off slowly on the defensive end while keeping pace on the offensive end of the floor. And when the final whistle blew, UConn ended up with a 98-64 rout of DePaul in front of 9,056 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT.

The Huskies improve to 7-1 while the Blue Demons fall to 7-4.

Breanna Stewart had 21 first half points and finished with 25 to lead the home team. She also had eight rebounds and four assists. Freshman Kia Nurse added 19 points, six rebounds and five assists while Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Morgan Tuck and Gabby Williams rounded out the Huskies in double digits with 14 points with Williams pulling down seven rebounds as well. Kiah Stokes, who got a 4.0 in the fall semester, came off the bench to score four points and grab eight boards.

Brittany Hrynko had 17 points and seven rebounds to lead DePaul. Jessica January had 13 points and tied for the team-high with seven rebounds while Megan Rogowski also had 13 points. Chanise Jenkins chipped in 10 points in the losing effort.

Only one day of rest for UConn as they are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they’ll take on the UCLA Bruins at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT in the Hall of Fame Classic. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.

DePaul Blue Demons vs UConn Huskies 12/19/14 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and DePaul head coach Doug Bruno.

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Red Sox Trade Middlebrooks To Padres For Hanigan

Will Middlebrooks #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he is called out in the second inning after trying to steal second base against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 20, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland.

When the Boston Red Sox signed Pablo Sandoval to play third base, Will Middlebrooks said himself there was no where for him to play.

A move to the outfield was out of the question with the signing of Hanley Ramirez plus Rusney Castillo, Shane Victorino and a cast of others out there. Playing first base wasn’t an option with Mike Napoli locked in over there.

So Red Sox GM Ben Cherington found him a new home and in the process they got a solid backup catcher from the San Diego Padres in Ryan Hanigan for Middlebrooks.

Hanigan was acquired by the Padres earlier on Friday from the Rays as part of a three-team deal. He will backup Christian Vazquez who emerged at catcher during the dismal 2014 for the local nine.

Full release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today acquired catcher Ryan Hanigan from the San Diego Padres in exchange for third baseman Will Middlebrooks.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Hanigan, 34, was traded to the Padres from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier today. A veteran of parts of eight major league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2007-13) and Rays (2014), the right-handed batter owns a .256 batting average with 57 doubles, a triple, 25 home runs, and 172 RBI in 558 career games. He has a lifetime .353 on-base percentage and has struck out fewer times (198) than he has walked (220).

Hanigan led the major leagues in caught stealing rate (min. 50 games) in back-to-back seasons in 2012 (49%) and 2013 (46%). Among active players with at least 500 games behind the plate, he ranks third in career catcher caught stealing percentage (34%, 96 of 284) behind only Yadier Molina (41%) and David Ross (34%). He also leads that group with both a 3.61 catcher’s ERA and a .996 fielding percentage in his career, committing only two errors in 1,145 chances over the last two seasons (.998).

With Tampa Bay last season, Hanigan appeared in 84 games and hit .218 with nine doubles, five home runs, 31 walks, and 34 RBI. He missed time with two trips to the disabled list due to right hamstring tightness and a left oblique strain, and totaled six games over a pair of rehabilitation stints with High-A Charlotte.

In 66 major league starts last year he caught 11 shutouts (17%). Including regular and postseason, he has been behind the plate for 22 shutouts in his last 141 starts (16%) dating back to Homer Bailey‘s no-hitter on September 28, 2012.

Born in Washington, DC, Hanigan grew up in Andover, MA, where he graduated from Andover High School. He was signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and has played in seven postseason games, all with Cincinnati in 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Middlebrooks, 26, hit .191 for the Red Sox last season with 10 doubles, two home runs, and 19 RBI, and was limited to 63 games due to two stints on the disabled list. Defensively, he led the club in games played (62) and starts (57) at third base, and his .972 fielding percentage at the position ranked third in the American League (min. 500 innings).

The right-handed batter has played in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons beginning with his debut in 2012, all with Boston. He is a career .237 hitter with 42 doubles, 34 home runs, and 122 RBI over 232 major league games. He was named the 2012 Red Sox Rookie of the Year by the Boston Baseball Writers and played in 10 games during Boston’s postseason run to the 2013 World Series Championship. The native of Texarkana, TX, was originally a fifth-round selection by the Red Sox in the 2007 June Draft.

photo credit: getty images

Sox and Dawgs

A New England Sports Blog