Sénéchal helps No. 6 Connecticut outlast No. 14 Villanova

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Lou Lopez Sénéchal scored 22 points, including a crucial rainbow jumper late in the fourth quarter, to lead No. 6 Connecticut to a 60-51 victory over Maddy Siegrist and No. 14 Villanova on Saturday.

“I think she’s been absolutely remarkable,” Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said of Sénéchal. “If we didn’t have Lou, I hate to think where we would be.”

Dorka Juhász added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Aaliyah Edwards had 13 points and 14 boards for the Connecticut (24-4, 16-1 Big East).

Siegrist, the nation’s leading scorer, had 21 points for the Wildcats (23-5, 14-3). Villanova lost just its second contest in the last 16 — both to the Huskies. Lucy Olsen added 13 points for Villanova.

The game was close throughout the first three quarters; the Huskies entered the final quarter leading 44-39. Sénéchal made a pair of free throws and then swished a 3 from the top of the key to give Connecticut its largest lead to that point at 49-39 with 8:55 left. The Huskies pushed their advantage to a game-high 12 at 52-40 on Juhász’s fastbreak layup from Sénéchal with 7:44 left.

The Wildcats came roaring back, scoring the next 10 points over 3:49 to make it 52-50 with 3:55 to play on Olsen’s drive. The Huskies committed four of their 22 turnovers during the Villanova spurt, which featured back-to-back 3-pointers by Siegrist and Olsen.

Edwards ended Connecitcut’s 4:39 scoring drought with a layup to make it 54-50. Then Sénéchal nailed her higharching shot from close range to give the Huskies a 5-point advantage that proved enough cushion.

“I just tried to put some arc to it,” Sénéchal said. “Didn’t think too much and just tried to make the shot.”

HOUSTON 56 TEMPLE 48

Laila Blair and Britney Onyeje each contributed 15 points as the Cougars took down the Owls on the road.

Onyeje added seven rebounds and two assists and Blair pulled down five rebounds as Houston (11-14, 8-4 American Athletic Conference) bounced back from a loss to Memphis with their fifth win in the last six games.

RICE 82

WESTERN KENTUCKY 64

India Bellamy put up 27 points on 11-of12 shooting to pace the Owls in a win over the host Lady Toppers.

Bellamy grabbed six rebounds while hitting 5-of-7 free throws for Rice (18-7, 9-7 Conference USA).

NO. 22 IOWA STATE 81 BAYLOR 77 (2OT)

Ashley Joens scored 27 points as the visiting Cyclones got double-digit scoring from all five starters en route to a win over the Bears.

Lexi Donarski hit a jumper and Joens added a 3-pointer to put Iowa State up 76-71 in the second OT. In the final minute, first Jaden Owens and then Ja’Mee Asberry scored to get Baylor within 78-77 with 10 seconds left. Joens was fouled and made both free throws with nine seconds left. Her steal with seven seconds left and a free throw sealed the win for the Cyclones.

NO. 7 IOWA 80 NEBRASKA 60

Caitlin Clark scored 30 points and Monika Czinano added 20 as the Hawkeyes pulled away in the second half for a road win over the Cornhuskers.

Iowa (22-5, 14-2) moved a game behind Big Tenleading Indiana with two regular-season games left.

NO. 8 MARYLAND 66 MICHIGAN STATE 61

Spartans players wiped away tears as they stood shoulder to shoulder during a moment of silence before losing to the visiting Terrapins, less than a week after three students were killed in a shooting on campus.

Diamond Miller scored 29 points and helped Maryland (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) hold on for the win.

LAMAR 55

HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 53

Julija Vujakovic tallied 14 points to lead four Huskies starters to score in double digits in a close home loss to the Cardinals.

N’Denasija Collins added 11 points and Abbey Sutherland and Kennedy Wilson each scored 10 for Houston Christian (11-15, 6-9 Southland Conference).

OKLAHOMA STATE 92 TEXAS TECH 80 (3OT)

Bre’Amber Scott had a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Raiders came up short in a marathon loss to the visiting Cowgirls.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 78 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 68

Diana Rosenthal came off the bench to score 14 points as the host Lady Panthers topped the Golden Lions.

TEXAS SOUTHERN 72 MISS. VALLEY STATE 36

Micah Gray scored 25 points and Taniya Lawson added 17 as the Tigers came away with a home win over the Devilettes.