After having won their first two games by a combined 118 points, the UConn women’s basketball team faced their first real test of the season against the Stanford Cardinal in the Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The Huskies didn’t disappoint their faithful that made the trip with them to St. Thomas as they beat Stanford 66-54 behind Maya Moore’s 19 points and 12 rebounds. It was Moore’s third straight game in double figures and she had her second double-double of the season.
Kalana Greene added 18 points for the Huskies (3-0) and Tina Charles had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Preseason All-American Candice Wiggins led Stanford (3-1) with 15 points while Jayne Appel added 13 points and 8 boards.
UConn led this one from start to finish as they controlled the tempo of the game early as they got out to a 9-0 lead. UConn would eventually increase their lead to 22-8 before the Cardinal would battle back to the UConn lead to 31-22 at halftime.
Whatever UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said to his troops at halftime worked as the Huskies looked a little more inspired in the second half. Moore led the Huskies with 12 points during a 23-6 second half run giving the Huskies 26 point lead at 60-34. The Cardinal would battle back though with a 16-2 run to cut the lead to 12 points. The Cardinal would not get any closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
UConn will be right back on the court tomorrow at 8:30 PM on CPTV when they take on the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs.
Notes and Observations:
The Fox Sports feed on CPTV had Lorin Dixon and Maya Moore in the starting lineup instead of Mel Thomas and Kalana Greene. The actual starters were Renee Montgomery, Thomas, Tina Charles, Greene and Charde Houston.
According to Steve his audio was really messed up. Oddly enough mine was fine but louder than a regular station.
Former Husky Rita Williams was in the crowd tonight along with many of the players parents and families.
The UConn Men will take part of the 2008 Men’s Paradise Jam.
The Huskies held Stanford to 31.9% (22-69) shooting while only shooting 40.8% (29-71).
UConn was abysmal from the charity stripe as they were 4 of 10 (40%). Moore was 3 of 7 while Charles was 1 of 3.
Stanford forced 11 UConn turnovers while only committing 10.
Brittany Hunter saw 11 minutes of action after sitting out the win over Holy Cross.
Lorin Dixon came in and played 1 minute while committing 2 fouls. After the 2nd foul, Geno went right to his bench.
Speaking of Geno, in the first two games he didn’t wear a tie with his suit. He kept the trend alive in this game as he was sporting a polo shirt.
UConn was 4 of 16 from 3-point land while the Cardinal shot 3 of 16.
UConn had 19 assists on 29 made baskets led by both Moore and Montgomery with 4 each.
The Huskies outrebounded the Cardinal 45-31.
