Storrs-Conn No 1 Connecticut (17-0) pummeled Tulane(12-7) 100-56 at Gampel Pavilion for its 93rd consecutive win. It is the same story Katie Lou Samuelson, Napheesa Collier, and Gabby Williams making their presence be known in front of their home crowd of 9,873.
UConn have won 102 straight true road games against team that are not ranked in the Associated Press Poll. The Huskies last loss to an unranked opponent on that’s team home court came on December 21, 2004 at Arizona State.
The Huskies went on a 6-0 run early in the first period to push the lead to 13-4 with 4:37 left in the quarter, even though the Huskies best player Katie Lou Samuelson went 0-5 in the first period.
“ I think with this team, what is special is that fact we have chemistry on the court. And also we know when there’s a time to be serious and there’s a time to have fun. You have to take into account all four other players on the court unless you are going to get burnt. Said UConn Guard Kia Nurse.
UConn have extended their winning streak to 93 games, which is the longest winning streak in NCAA history. Matter of fact the Huskies owns four of the longest winning streaks in Division I women’s basketball history.
The best team in the country put together one of its most dominant games during this run, quickly squashing any ideas of Tulane pulling off an upset early in the game.
The lopsided victory sends the Huskies on the road to Greenville, NC to square against East Carolina Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. game start on SNY.
The Huskies are 390-15 (.960) all-time when playing as the nation’s number 1 ranked team in the Associated Press Top 25. UConn most recent loss when ranked No. 1 came November 17, 2014 versus the Stanford Cardinals.
Tulane shot a dismal 38.5% in the first half and could not get their offense on track to keep up with the quicker Huskies’ team. The Green wave was completely overmatched turning the ball over 14 times in the first half. Tulane speedy guard Kolby Morgan tried to slow the aggressive UConn attack defense with her 13 points (6-10) shooting in the half.
We have seen teams dominate their respective sports before, but nothing like what UConn has done so far this season. This UConn team plays with the same passion, grit and toughness of the previous teams of the past.
The Huskies poured it on in the second quarter, converting turnovers and missed shots into quick layups. Connecticut sliced the Tulane defense, which entered giving up just 61.8 points a game. UConn surpassed that with 7:01 left in the third period and led 62-35 over a disheveled Green wave team.
Katie Lou Samuelson started the second period on fire shooting 5-6 from the floor and 2-2 beyond the arc culminating with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals the Huskies shot 61.1% (11 for 18) from the field.
The beating continued in the fourth period as Connecticut extended its advantage to 37. Coach Geno Auriemma took out Napheesa Collier (21 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 assists), Kia Nurse (24 points, 3 assists, and 6 steals) and Katie Lou Samuelson (34 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 steals) for good at the end of the third period.
“Today it felt like I wasn’t playing hard enough like I should of early in the game and didn’t want to let my teammates down. That early layup in the second quarter ease me a bit and I was able to relax and get on track. My shots started to fall after that.” Said UConn Forward Katie Lou Samuelson.
