Huskies tip off Paradise Jam with rout of Mississippi

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — It might not have been vintage UConn. It still, however, was more than good enough.

The Huskies tipped off their time at the Paradise Jam by crushing Mississippi 9050 on Thursday at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.

After the Huskies fell behind — only briefly and extremely early in the game — it was Napheesa Collier who got them going. The senior forward enjoyed a strong start — and never really stopped. She scored 18 points, including 11 in the first quarter, and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Though the game marked the start of a backto-back-to-back for the Huskies, head coach Geno Auriemma again used his lineup conservatively for most of the night. The Huskies (3-0) relied mainly on their starters until the fourth quarter, watching all five players score in double-figures.

All-American Katie Lou Samuelson led all players with 22 points, to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Megan Walker, finishing just shy of a double-double, added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Mississippi, a last-place finisher in the Southeastern Conference a year ago, led UConn just two minutes and four seconds in. After that, it was all UConn. The Huskies led 23-9 after the first quarter and 42-17 at halftime, thanks largely to a commanding 26-4 run.

The Rebels didn’t stand a chance against the Huskies’ fluid offense, whether it was in the half-court or in transition. There was simply no letdown from the No. 2 team in the country. They shot 44 percent in the first half, featuring a balanced and precise offense that was impossible to match.

This was the Huskies’ first appearance in the Paradise Jam since 2012 and third all-time (spanning seven matchups). And it was very much like their past trips. Entering Thursday, the Huskies had not played a game within single-digits at the tournament.

They will need to make a quick turnaround, as former Big East rival St. John’s awaits in the second game of the eight-team, round-robin tournament on Friday (7:30 p.m.). Led by Stamford native Tiana England, the Red Storm beat Purdue 68-62 on Thursday.

The Huskies will head into that matchup with an improving Olivia NelsonOdoda. The 6-foot-4 forward from Georgia, who was widely regarded as a top-five recruit, delivered another strong effort off the bench: 11 points and two rebounds.

Mississippi fell to 3-2 with the loss. Shannon Dozier led the Rebels with 11 points.