Samuelson pours in 31 for Huskies

HARTFORD — Geno Auriemma insisted he wasn’t worried about Katie Lou Samuelson as the senior worked through a recent shooting slump.

Wednesday night was a reminder of why.

Samuelson poured in a season-high 31 points, helping UConn motor past ECU 118-55 at the XL Center before a crowd of 8,469.

The All-American guard generated offense in a variety of ways. From transition layups to 3-pointers to mid-range jumpers, Samuelson converted them all. Samuelson, who had watched her shooting percentages dip to career-lows (34.5 percent from 3 and 44.3 overall) recently, went 9-of-11 from the floor and had 27 points in the first half alone. Forward Napheesa Collier made all 10 of her shots and finished with 21 points, while guard Crystal Dangerfield added 12 points and 12 assists.

This was much like many of UConn’s previous 109 victories in American Athletic Conference play —

over in a matter of minutes. The Huskies sank 15 of their first 18 shots and led 41-13 after the first quarter. They increased their lead to 70-25 at halftime.

The Huskies, who dropped to No. 5 in the Associated Press poll — their lowest ranking in 12 years — following a ninepoint loss to Louisville last Thursday, produced their largest offensive output of the season. They shot 57 percent from the floor and hit 11 3-pointers.

Freshman Christyn Williams scored 15 points — her most in nearly a month — and Megan Walker added 14, as all five Huskies cracked double-figures.

The game took a welcomed turn for Auriemma, who has been looking for opportunities to rest the trio of Collier, Dangerfield and Samuelson during the homestretch of the regular season. While that proved difficult during a recent two-game road trip, where the Huskies followed up their loss to Louisville with a closer-than-expected 65-55 win over Cincinnati, an opportunity arose against ECU (11-11, 2-7 AAC). Dangerfield logged 27 minutes, while Collier played 21 minutes and Samuelson 20.

Forward Olivia NelsonOdoda provided a solid contribution off the bench, scoring six points to go along with six rebounds. Guard Molly Bent chipped in eight points.

Raven Johnson scored 14 points to lead the Pirates, who dropped to 0-10 alltime against UConn (20-2, 9-0 AAC).

The Huskies will continue their three-game homestand Saturday against Temple at Gampel Pavilion (1 p.m.).

Stephen Dunn / Associated Press UConn’s Katie Lou Samuelson is fouled by East Carolina on Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.