Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
No. 4 UConn thumps Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Megan Walker scored 25 points, and the fourth-ranked UConn Huskies beat Vanderbilt 64-51 Wednesday night in the program’s first game at Memorial Gym since 1992.
The Huskies (2-0) now have won six straight against Vanderbilt (2-1) after dropping the first two between the programs. This was much closer than last year when UConn beat Vanderbilt 80-42 at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Coach Geno Auriemma hadn’t brought his Huskies to Memorial Gym since March 1992 when Vandy ended UConn’s run in the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year after the first of its now 20 record Final Four berths. Even with former Vanderbilt guard Jasmine Lister now an Auriemma assistant, the reason for this visit was senior guard Crystal Dangerfield.
This was Dangerfield’s chance to play close to her home in Murfreesboro, 35 miles southeast of Music City. Dangerfield had 22 friends and family behind the UConn bench with friends, former teammates and coaches scattered around Memorial Gym. Dangerfield didn’t knock down her first bucket, a 3-pointer, until 6:07 left in the second quarter.
Dangerfield finished with eight points and four assists. Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 14 points.
Koi Love led Vanderbilt with 14 points.
NO. 6 SOUTH CAROLINA 75, DAYTON 49.
DAYTON, Ohio — Freshman Zia Cooke scored 27 points as South Carolina’s young, quick guards controlled the pace, and the sixthranked Gamecocks followed their big win at Maryland by dominating Dayton 75-49.
South Carolina (3-0) was coming off a 64-54 victory at then-No. 4 Maryland that represented an impressive early step for a young roster led by shot-blocking freshman Aliyah Boston. The Gamecocks’ backcourt and suffocating front line were too much for Dayton (2-1), which fell behind by 26 in the second quarter and never recovered.
NO. 8 MARYLAND 70, JAMES MADISON 68
HARRISONBURG, Va. — Shakira Austin scored 21 points and Ashley Owusu made a layup with four seconds left to help No. 8 Maryland rally from a 19-point fourth quarter deficit and beat James Madison 70-68.
Trailing by 19 points early in the final period, Austin’s jumper capped a 28-6 run for the Terrapins, who used full court pressure to get back in the game. Austin’s shot gave Maryland a 68-66 lead with 1:20 left. After both teams couldn’t score over the next minute, Lexie Barrier hit two free throws with 14 seconds left to tie the game.
Maryland called timeout and Owusu scored with a few seconds left. The Dukes had one last chance, but Kamiah Smalls halfcourt shot rimmed out at the buzzer. Owusu finished with 14 points for Maryland (2-1).
NO. 12 FLORIDA STATE 75, JACKSONVILLE 41
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nausia Woolfolk scored 22 points and Kiah Gillespie posted her 15th career double-double to lead No. 12 Florida State to a 75-41 victory over Jacksonville.
Woolfolk shot 9 of 14 while Gillespie had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Seminoles (3-0). Nicki Ekhomu, who led Florida State in scoring in its first two games this season, finished with 14, making all six of her free throws.
NO. 13 KENTUCKY 67, STETSON 48.
LEXINGTON, Ky.— Rhyne Howard scored 24 points and Keke McKinney posted a career-first double-double to lead No. 13 Kentucky to a 67-48 win over Stetson.
Howard shot 11 of 21 from the floor while McKinney had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Tatyana Wyatt grabbed 10 rebounds to go with her nine points.
While the Wildcats (3-0) and Hatters (1-1) both had shooting percentages in the mid-30s and 41 rebounds apiece, Kentucky took 22 more shots with the help of 24 Stetson turnovers.
Kentucky led from the start with Howard scoring 12 of Kentucky’s 13 first-quarter points. A 12-2 run put the Wildcats up by double figures for good with the half ending 32-20.
NO. 17 MIAMI 78, NORTH FLORIDA 55
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Beatrice Mompremier and Kelsey Marshall each scored 16 points and No. 17 Miami beat North Florida 78-55.
Marshall scored 10 of Miami’s 25 first-quarter points for an 11-point lead. The Hurricanes led 34-26 at halftime and outscored North Florida 22-11 in the third quarter before adding another 22 points in the fourth to seal it.
Miami (2-0), which was coming off an 83-68 season-opening win against Jackson State, got 32 points off its bench. The Hurricanes will play IUPUI and North Carolina A&T before their first test of the season against No. 7 Oregon State on November 29.
Alexis Gordon led North Florida (1-2) with 13 points and Janesha Green added 10.