The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Back to the Grind
Samuelson, Huskies showed grit in latest win
ORLANDO, Fla. — The UConn women did what they always do in American Athletic Conference play. They overwhelmed the opposition, parlaying a dominant first quarter into a 78-41 rout of UCF Sunday at CFE Arena.
The Knights tried to wear UConn down, playing a physical style that drew the Huskies’ ire. But that strategy only got them so far.
UConn jumped in front 23-4 after the first quarter and led comfortably the rest of the way, improving to 23-2 on the season, including 11-0 in the AAC.
Here’s five takeaways on the win: Lou Samuelson toughed it out and helped land the Huskies their 112th straight AAC win.
This was a physically demanding game for the Huskies, especially Samuelson, who was fortunate to walk away unscathed after playing 34 minutes.
The senior worked hard for her 12 points — really, really hard. She shot 0-of-5 from the floor, failing to hit a field goal for only the second time in 131 games, but got to the free-throw line 12 times (one shy of her career-high, accomplished twice).
Samuelson’s toughness through it all shouldn’t go ignored. Remember, this is the same Samuelson who sported a black eye last year and averaged 36.4 minutes in the NCAA tournament on a bum ankle.
⏩ MORE OF THE SAME FOR COLLIER: How efficient has Napheesa Collier been lately? Consider this: Collier has shot above 50 percent from the floor in 13 straight games. The last time she didn’t was in the loss to Baylor (6-of-18).
The senior was 8-for-11 against UCF, collecting 18 points (nine in the first quarter), 11 rebounds and four steals.
NOW THAT’S THE SPOT:
Christyn Williams had a relatively uneventful first half, going scoreless on 0-of-2 shooting. The final 20 minutes, though, were a different story.
Williams broke loose for 12 points after halftime, en route to being named AAC Freshman of the Week. She hit three 3-pointers, interestingly all from the same spot on the floor — the right corner.
Geno Auriemma later explained that the Huskies
made a concerted effort to get not only Williams, but also Megan Walker shots from where they’re most comfortable.
That’s a great example of a Hall of Fame coach playing to his players’ strengths.
⏩ ANOTHER STEP FORWARD: Olivia Nelson-Ododa possesses one trait that cannot be taught — size. It’s why Auriemma spoke earlier this week about wanting to find more playing time down the stretch for the 6-foot-5 freshman.
He accomplished that mission Sunday, getting Nelson-Ododa 20 minutes. It was her largest workload since Dec. 4 against St. Louis, when she played 24 minutes and came away with her first double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds).
She was fairly productive against UCF, recording nine points and three blocks.
⏩ A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: The Huskies jumped to No. 3 in Monday’s Associated Press poll, leapfrogging Louisville following the Cardinals’ loss to Miami. Baylor remained No. 1 while Oregon rose to No. 2.
How the Huskies are viewed by not only the voters, but also the NCAA selection committee likely won’t change over these next two weeks. Five games remain in the regular season, four against teams currently under .500 in AAC play: Memphis, Tulsa, Wichita State and USF.
Clearly, the No. 1 seed in Albany is UConn’s to lose.