No. 1 UConn 66, No. 2 South Carolina 54
Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart ( 30) grabs one of her 10 rebounds against No. 2 South Carolina on Monday night in Columbia, S. C. Stewart added 25 points and five blocks as the top- ranked Huskies held off a late rally to win their 60th game in a row while putting an end to the Gamecocks’ 45- game home winning streak.
COLUMBIA, S. C. — Connecticut women’s Coach Gene Auriemma smiled at his three senior starters, savoring the latest virtuoso performance on the big stage by Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson — and fretting about their departure next season.
“I carry five cellphones now with all the coaches who want to schedule us next year when these guys leave,” Auriemma said Monday night.
Count South Carolina women’s Coach Dawn Staley among them after Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson combined for 53 points in No. 1 UConn’s 66- 54 victory over the secondranked Gamecocks.
Stewart led the way with 25 points, Tuck had 16 points and Jefferson added 12 points as the Huskies ( 23- 0) won their 60th consecutive game and improved to 19- 3 in No. 1- vs.No. 2 matchups.
“These games are a lot of fun,” said Stewart, who also had 10 rebounds and five blocks. “They are exciting for us.’
Auriemma felt the increased vibe as his team stepped out of its American Athletic Conference schedule. His players soaked in the anticipation of the season’s biggest game — the Gamecocks ( 22- 1) came having opened with 22 consecutive victories — and played with a fire in front of a sold- out, 18,000- seat arena to prove themselves the best, the longtime coach said.
UConn took control early, up 30- 15 midway through the second quarter.
Stewart was the main reason why, finishing with her ninth double- double this season. The 6- foot- 4 senior also played strong defense against South Carolina’s inside stars in A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates. The Gamecocks duo, averaging 28 points combined this season, ended with just about half that ( 15) in their first loss of the season.
UConn handed the Gamecocks their first loss here since falling to Texas A& M 50- 48 on Feb. 10, 2013.
Wilson and Sarah Imovbioh had 13 points apiece to lead South Carolina.
South Carolina lost its leading scorer in Wilson with 4: 22 left in the second quarter as she injured her left leg. Wilson was jostling for a rebound she landed hard and was in obvious pain just off the court. Trainers worked on her lower leg before she was helped up and led to the locker room.
Wilson returned to the bench late in the third quarter, her lower leg heavily taped, and played the final quarter.
SWAC WOMEN
ALABAMA STATE 68, UAPB 53
Arkansas- Pine Bluff ( 7- 15, 4- 7 Southwestern Athletic Conference) committed 22 turnovers in a loss to Alabama State ( 11- 9, 9- 2) on Monday night at the H. O. Clemmons Arena in Pine Bluff.
UAPB, which never led, shot 31.5 percent ( 17 of 54) from the floor. Niya Head and Diamond Richardson each scored 13 points to lead the Lady Lions.
Britney Wright finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Alabama State. The Hornets led 15- 8 at the end of the first quarter, 27- 20 at halftime and 5131 at the end of the third quarter.
Alabama State’s largest lead was 6240 with 4: 03 left.