Huskies Pummel UC WBB, 96-49

The number one ranked University of Connecticut Huskies’ women’s basketball team took a commanding 28-7 lead after one quarter and never looked back in its 96-49 victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

UConn improved to 23-0 overall and 10-0 in the American with the win while the Bearcats fell to 14-9 and 5-5 in AAC play. The defeat was the fourth straight for the suddenly reeling Bearcats.

The Huskies’ commanding first quarter lead was built around an 18-0 run that served as a de facto first round knockout punch in Tuesday night’s game. UConn outhustled and outrebounded UC during this stretch, displaying a tempo and athleticism that the Bearcats simply were not talented enough to challenge.

The bleeding was somewhat contained in a 21-15 second quarter, but the Huskies remained the aggressor in the game. After two quarters, UConn held a 13-0 advantage in fast break points. They turned numerous offensive rebounds into second chance baskets.

UConn held a 49-22 lead at the half. Husky superstars Napheesa Collier, Kia Nurse, and Katie Lou Samuelson were all in double figures after two quarters.

On the evening, Collier (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Gabby Williams (14 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-doubles for UConn. Additionally, Samuelson poured in 20 points while Nurse contributed 17.

Napheesa Collier finished the evening a perfect 10-10 from the field, the second most successful shots without a miss in UConn history.

UConn outrebounded UC 49-32. UConn had 31 assists to 6 turnovers. Conversely, the Bearcats turned the ball over 15 times and had but 11 assists.

Bearcats stalwart Shanice Johnson played admirably in the low post, putting in 20 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman guard and Lakota East graduate Sam Rodgers made a significant offensive contribution for the Bearcats in the second half, hitting a trio of third quarter three pointers. She finished with 9 points.

The third quarter proved nearly as bad as the first for the Bearcats, as UConn left its stars in for the lion’s share of the frame. UConn ended the third quarter on a 20-3 run and took an 83-36 lead into the fourth.

On Saturday, Cincinnati travels to Houston to play a rebuilding Cougars team. It will offer them an excellent opportunity to bounce back from this four-game losing streak.

UConn hosts SMU on Saturday and will beat them by whatever score they feel like.