UConn routs champs
Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma watched his topranked Huskies put on a show at South Carolina that even he couldn’t believe.
Kia Nurse had 23 points and Katie Lou Samuelson added 20 as UConn (21-0) routed the defending national champion Gamecocks 83-58 on Thursday night. The demolition included a 29-8 second quarter as the Huskies hit 11 of 18 field goals to turn a tight game into a runaway.
“If you really know about basketball, you’re going to say, ‘Wow, that’s amazing,’ ” Auriemma said.
Nurse made five of the Huskies’ 11 three-pointers and their defense held South Carolina All-American A’ja Wilson to 4-of-18 shooting, although she ended with 14 points, 16 boards and six blocks.
South Carolina (18-4) fell to 0-6 all-time against UConn and 0-15 in program history against No. 1 teams.
A brief Gamecocks rally cut a 33-point lead to 21 in the third quarter, but it was nowhere near enough.
“It’s kind of hard when you’re in a hole like that to dig your way out,” Wilson said. #2 Mississippi State 57, #15 Missouri 53: Victoria Vivians made a go-ahead jumper with four seconds left and the Bulldogs (23-0, 9-0 SEC) stayed perfect with a road win. Mississippi State held the Tigers (17-6, 5-4) to just 32 percent shooting in the second half. #4 Louisville 77, Virginia 41: Asia Durr scored 21 points and the visiting Cardinals (23-1, 9-1 ACC) broke open a tight game with a 16-0 run in the third quarter. Bionca Dunham added 13 points and Arica Carter 12 for Louisville. The Cavaliers (15-8, 8-2) were led by Aliyah Huland El with nine points, including the 1,000th of her career in the final minute. #5 Notre Dame 94, North Carolina 62: Marina Mabrey scored 25 points and fellow guard Arike Ogunbowale added 24 as the host Fighting Irish (21-2, 9-1 ACC) rolled past the Tar Heels (14-8, 4-5) for their sixth straight victory. Jamie Cherry led North Carolina with 15 points. Colorado 69, Utah 65: Kennedy Leonard scored 31 points as the visiting Buffaloes (12-10, 3-8 Pac-12) defeated the Utes (14-8, 5-6). Megan Huff had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Utah. St. Mary’s 73, USF 59: Stella Beck scored 19 points and Sydney Raggio grabbed 13 rebounds as the Gaels (14-8, 7-4 WCC) won in San Francisco. Shannon Powell led the Dons (10-12, 5-6) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Pacific 55, Santa Clara 37: Jenelle Grant had 14 points and eight rebounds for the victorious Tigers (11-11, 5-6 WCC), who held the Broncos (7-15, 3-8) to six third-quarter points.
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#1 Villanova 98, Creighton 78: Mikal Bridges scored 21 points and Jalen Brunson had 19 to lead the host Wildcats (21-1, 8-1 Big East) to their eighth straight win. Villanova tied a program record with 19 three-pointers as the Bluejays (17-6, 7-4) became the latest team to learn the hard way just how talented the Wildcats are. “It’s a video game,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said of Villanova’s offense. #14 Gonzaga 69, San Diego 59: Johnathan Williams scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the host Bulldogs (20-4, 10-1 WCC) defeated the Toreros (15-8, 6-5) in a defensive battle. Josh Perkins and Zach Norvell Jr. each scored 13 for Gonzaga. Olin Carter III scored 21 points for San Diego. Temple 81, #16 Wichita State 79: Obi Enechionyia hit two free throws with 18.1 seconds left in overtime as the host Owls (12-10, 4-6 American Athletic) beat the Shockers (17-5, 7-3). After Wichita State’s Markis McDuffie’s missed potential winning three-point attempt, Temple fans stormed the floor. Quinton Rose scored 19 points and Josh Brown had 15 for the Owls. Shaquille Morris had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Shockers who have dropped three of five. Washington 68, #25 Arizona State 64: Noah Dickerson had 21 points and 16 rebounds as the host Huskies (16-6, 6-3 Pac-12) held off the Sun Devils (16-6, 4-6). Four starters were in double figures for Arizona State. Pacific 63, Santa Clara 45: Miles Reynolds scored 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting as the visiting Tigers (11-13, 6-5 WCC) hammered the Broncos (8-15, 5-6). K.J. Feagin led Santa Clara with 21 points.