Huskies survive against DePaul

UConn clinches No. 1 seed for next week’s Big East Tournament

CHICAGO — Dorka Juhász checked into the game with less than two minutes left.

UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma was hesitant to put the graduate forward back into the game after she sprained her right ankle in the first quarter, but the Huskies needed a stop — especially after DePaul had cut UConn’s once five-point lead to one with 17 seconds left.

DePaul star Aneesah Morrow

picked off Juhász’ inbound pass and ran it down to the opposite end of the quarter. With the game and UConn’s place in the Big East standings on the line, Juhász sprinted after her.

Juhász pounced on the ball and both her and Morrow fell to the ground. Neither let go as the officials called it a jump ball and UConn earned the possession with nine seconds left.

“It’s what Dorka does,” Aaliyah Edwards said. “She’s always on the go and she doesn’t give up possessions.”

Point guard Nika Mühl drew a foul and sank both free throws to seal the No. 4-ranked Huskies 72-69 win over DePaul Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena.

The win gave UConn (25-5, 17-2 Big East) the No. 1 seed in next weekend’s Big East Tournament and at least a share of the conference regular-season title. UConn can earn sole possession of the regular-season crown if it beats Xavier on Monday. If UConn losses against the Musketeers and Villanova beats Seton Hall on Monday, then the Wildcats will share the regular-season title with the Huskies.

UConn has won 10 straight conference regular-season titles (seven in the American Athletic Conference and the past three in the Big East) and 29 total.

“All I can say is it’s hard,” Auriemma said. “And you have to have that players that believe in themselves and believe in what we’re doing and pick each other up every chance they get . ... but anytime you win a Big East championship or any champi