Huskies continue dominance of AAC
TOP 25 WOMEN
NO. 6 CONNECTICUT 66, CENTRAL FLOIRDA 53
STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut has taken home every conference regular-season and tournament trophy offered in the history of the American Athletic Conference.
But senior Crystal Dangerfield said Saturday’s clinching 66-53 win over Central Florida made holding this one feel a little bit different.
“We had to bear down and earn the win and in other years that hasn’t been the case,” Dangerfield said. “In other years, I’m on the bench in the fourth quarter at some point, we don’t get that today. And just overall for the season we’ve had to earn our conference wins, and again that’s different from how it’s been in the past.”
Megan Walker scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Anna Makurat added 17 points and Dangerfield had 12 of her 14 in the second half for the Huskies (23-3, 13-0 American). Christyn Williams (Central Arkansas Christian) was held to three points and two assists.
It was Connecticut’s 50th conference regular-season or tournament title in its 46 seasons. The Huskies will rejoin the Big East Conference next season.
Masseny Kaba scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead UCF (16-9, 8-5).
NO. 2 BAYLOR 101, OKLAHOMA 69
WACO, Texas —NaLyssa Smith scored 22 points and the No. 2 Lady Bears won their 55th consecutive Big 12 game, beating Oklahoma.
The defending national champion Lady Bears (25-1, 14-0 Big 12) moved within one win of their 10th consecutive regular-season conference title with four games left in the regular season.
Gabby Gregory had 30 points with five three-pointers to lead Oklahoma (12-14, 5-9).
NO. 13 GONZAGA 64, PEPPERDINE 50
MALIBU, Calif. — Jill Townsend scored 12 of her 13 points in the a game-changing third quarter to propel No. 13 Gonzaga to a victory over Pepperdine.
Melody Kempton added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Bulldogs (27-2, 16-1 West Coast), Jessie Loera added 10 points and Jenn Wirth grabbed 10 rebounds.
NO. 18 NORTHWESTERN 82, WISCONSIN 66
MADISON, Wis. — Lindsey Pulliam scored 28 points with six rebounds and five assists and No. 18 Northwestern won its seventh consecutive game.
Veronica Burton added 15 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Wildcats (24-3, 14-2 Big Ten).
Abby Laszewski led the Badgers (1117, 3-14)with 14 points.
NO. 19 IOWA 100, PENN STATE 57
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Monika Czinano scored 23 points, Kathleen Doyle added 18 with 7 assists and 5 rebounds and No. 19 Iowa (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) rolled to a victory over Penn State (720, 1-15).
Makenzie Meyer and McKenna Warnock added 10 points apiece for the Hawkeyes.
NO. 20 SOUTH DAKOTA 77, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 67
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Chloe Lamb scored 22 points, Madison McKeever added 19 and the two combined for 19 fourth-quarter points to help No. 20 South Dakota (26-2, 15-0) fend off South Dakota State and claim the outright Summit League championship. NO. 24 INDIANA 75, MINNESOTA 69
MINNEAPOLIS — Ali Patberg had a season-high 29 points, Grace Berger scored 14 of her 18 points in the second half, and No. 24 Indiana beat Minnesota. NO. 25 PRINCETON 87, DARTMOUTH 55
PRINCETON, N.J. — Bella Alarie scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and No. 25 Princeton (21-2, 9-0 Ivy League) won its 17th consecutive game.
Anna Luce and Asha Taylor had 10 points each for Dartmouth (8-15, 2-8).