Analysis
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The Huskies faced a Marquette team that had won seven of its last eight games, with its only loss coming to UConn March 1 in the regular-season finale at Gampel Pavilion. In that game, the Golden Eagles forced UConn into a halfcourt game and it was a sluggish affair, with the Huskies winning, 63-53.
But Monday’s game was different. The Huskies, who have never lost to Marquette, got their transition game going early and quickly took a 29-10 lead in the first quarter. Their defense, which has been stellar throughout the tournament, was once again stifling. Marquette had averaged 72 points per game before Monday. Senior Selena Lott, Marquette’s leading scorer, was held to two points, 13 below her average.
It was the fourth straight year Marquette has been the Big East Tournament runner-up.
Key to victory: UConn got its transition game going early unlike March1, whentheHuskies’ offense stalled vs. Marquette. Also, the defense — which fuels the transition game — was on point Monday, as it has been for the Huskies the entire Big East Tournament. In the first two games against St. John’s and Villanova, UConn allowed an average of 40 points on 26.1 percent shooting. Monday night, Marquette shot 18 for 62 for 29 percent.
Turning point: Once again, it was early in the game as UConn set a dominant tone, hitting its first four shots, starting with a 3-pointer by Evina Westbrook 20 seconds in. The Huskies stretched the lead to 12-2 in the next four minutes. In contrast, Marquette shot 0 for 6 to start the game, and the Golden Eagles’ first basket came on a layup by Taylor at the 6:31 mark.
Player of the game: Once again, it’s Williams. She drew the toughest defensive assignment and not only did she hold Lott to two points, she also scored 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field to go with her three rebounds and two steals.
Highlight of the game: In the first quarter, Westbrook stole the ball, fed it to Williams, who drove coast to coast, and after a nifty behind the back dribble, hit the layup to give UConn a 19-6 lead.
Stats ofthe game: The Huskies shot 76 percent in the first quarter (12 for 17) and 5 for 6 from the 3-point line. In contrast, Marquette 5 for 17 and didn’t attempt a 3. ... UConn finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field (29 for 58).