Five stats from UConn’s defeat of Villanova
A look at some key stats from third-ranked UConn’s 90-52 victory over Villanova on Tuesday night at Finneran Pavilion.
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UConn still hasn’t found its next Kia Nurse or Gabby Williams — that defender who can single-handedly lock down the opponent’s best player. It didn’t matter against Villanova.
The Huskies’ zone gave the Wildcats fits. Maddy Siegrist, the Big East’s leading scorer, struggled as much as anyone against it. She managed just two points in the third quarter — the Wildcats had only eight total — and finished with 15. And she used a lot of effort to get them, too, going 6-of-22 from the floor.
Geno Auriemma is a harsh grader when it comes to his defense. He says this team still has “a lot of work to do” to play to the level he wants on that side of the ball. That said, it’s hard not to be encouraged by Tuesday’s effort.
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Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s foul troubles returned. She picked up four, limiting her to 22 minutes on a night when backup Aaliyah Edwards was out with an ankle sprain.
Fortunately, the 6-foot-5 Nelson-Ododa was plenty productive during the time she did play. She scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, proving a mismatch for Villanova’s undersized frontcourt.
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Paige Bueckers still isn’t shooting enough for Auriemma’s liking. He said he shakes his head every time she passes up an opportunity to score. “I just think when Paige shoots the ball it’s going in the basket,” he said.
The freshman connected on seven of her 15 attempts, good for 19 points.
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Evina Westbrook played her most extensive minutes as a Husky, an encouraging sign given all the uncertainty surrounding her surgically repaired knee. She was on the floor for 36 minutes — she came in averaging 28.5 — and looked similar to her old self, collecting 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Auriemma called it her best game “by far,” and it came at an important time with the Huskies shorthanded.
1,096
Auriemma recorded his 1,096th
career victory, moving two behind Tennessee legend Pat Summitt for second all-time among women’s coaches. Assuming the schedule remains as is,
Auriemma could have a chance to tie Summitt Jan. 7 when the Huskies visit No. 7 Baylor and pass her two days later at home against Providence.