UConn crushes Memphis
Hot-shooting Samuelson pours on season-high 32 points
HARTFORD — It took only 19 seconds for Katie Lou Samuelson to get her big night started, burying a 3-pointer from the ring wing.
She would add another 40 seconds later, and then two more in a row after that.
Samuelson didn’t miss much Wednesday against Memphis. She was on one of those rolls, pouring in a season-high 32 points in an easy 102-45 victory for the No. 3 Huskies at the XL Center.
This one, like most others in American Athletic Conference play, was never in doubt. The Huskies scored the first eight points and never trailed, building leads of 36-19 after the first quarter and 62-27 at halftime.
The Huskies stuck to a familiar recipe on offense — perimeter shooting. They sank 11-of-17 3-point attempts in the first half and 14 overall. Eight of those came from Samuelson, who finished an efficient 11-of-19 from the floor.
When added up, it was more than enough to lead the Huskies to their 113th consecutive AAC victory. They improved to 24-2 (12-0) on the season, while Memphis dropped to 10-16 (5-8).
Forward Napheesa Collier contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds, notching her 15th double-double of the season. Guard Crystal Dangerfield added 15 points and eight assists.
With the Huskies owning a commanding 45-point lead, Samuelson, who also had 10 rebounds and seven assists, checked out with 8:27 left to a hearty applause from the crowd of 8,869. It was in appreciation for a stellar performance that served as somewhat of a bounceback effort.
All 12 of Samuelson’s points in Sunday’s 78-41 rout of UCF came from the free-throw line. The nation’s most accurate 3-point shooter a season ago, Samuelson (0-for-5)
failed to hit a field goal for just the second time in her career.
No such troubles existed against an overwhelmed opponent like Memphis. The Huskies’ offense ran smoothly and effectively. They shot 54 percent, cracking the 100-point mark for the third time this month.
With March on the horizon, coach Geno Auriemma had talked recently about wanting to get more playing time for his mercurial bench. That’s something he was able to do against Memphis, as Olivia NelsonOdoda (10 points, eight rebounds) and Mikayla Coombs (four steals) each logged 21 minutes.
The Huskies will return to the road Sunday when they play Tulsa for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
Iron woman: Collier made her 100th consecutive start Wednesday. She’s only the fifth Husky to reach that milestone, joining Renee Montgomery (140), Jennifer Rizzotti (135), Kelly Faris (115) and Jamelle Elliott (106).
The last game Collier did not start was on April 5, 2016 — an 82-51 victory over Syracuse in national championship game.