Building momentum

Clicking again, Huskies cruise to win over Xavier

HARTFORD — All week, UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has been challenging his seniors to do more and be better.

Against Xavier on Saturday, Olivia Nelson-Ododa did just that. The 6foot-5 center dominated defensively, grabbing rebounds, swatting away shots, and stealing any and all easy passes.

Thanks to the Nelson-Ododa’s career-high performance, the No.10-ranked Huskies defeated Xavier, 78-41, for their third straight win after coming off a three-week break.

Nelson-Ododa finished with career-bests in blocks (eight) and steals (five) to go along with 11 points. Freshman Caroline Ducharme led UConn with 20 points followed by Christyn Williams with 19 points.

“Things are clicking for us now,” Nelson-Ododa said. “On the defensive end and offensively, things are running a little bit more smoother. We have a better idea of our roles, where people are supposed to be at the right time and what exactly we’re supposed to be doing.”

Takeaways from UConn’s win over Xavier:

IT’S ONO’S WORLD

The senior paced UConn’s defense all game.

Halfway through the second quarter, Nelson-Ododa sparked two back-to-back plays for

UConn (9-3, 4-0 Big East). At 5:37 she stole the ball away from a Musketeer, passed to Williams who found an open Ducharme for a layup. On the next possession, Nelson-Ododa blocked a Xavier shot and collected the ball. She again passed to Williams who again found an open Ducharme — this time in the corner. Ducharme made the 3-pointer and gave UConn a 37-17 lead.

By the end of the first half, Nelson-Ododa had recorded a

Jessica Hill / Associated Press UConn’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (20) shoots between Xavier's Kae Satterfield, left, and Mackayla Scarlett during the first half on Saturday.