The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team headed to what was supposed to be sunny, warm Florida to continue their growth while playing in the Gulf Coast Showcase. Instead they found themselves in a cold arena just trying to warm up from a slow start.

UConn forward Morgan Tuck goes up for a shot against Charleston.Once they got over their early turnovers, the Huskies got things going and went on to an 85-24 win over the Charleston Cougars in the Gulf Coast Classic at Germain Arena in Estero, FL on Friday night.

UConn improves to 3-1 and will face the Vanderbilt Commodores at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night. Charleston falls to 0-5.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis returned after missing their last game with flu-like symptoms to lead the team with 21 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Morgan Tuck made her second consecutive start and had 15 points while Kia Nurse had 11 points, seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists.

Kiah Stokes came off the bench to lead UConn with 13 rebounds to go along with her six points. Breanna Stewart finished with just eight points after shooting 3-of-10 from the floor.

Erin Hall led the Cougars with 11 points. Shannon Hines added four points while Jackie Luna-Castro had a team-high seven rebounds along with four points.

UConn Huskies vs College of Charleston Cougars 11/29/14 box score

photo credit: brad horrigan – hartford courant