Huskies Trounce East Carolina

Christyn Williams scored 26 points, including this one in transition, to
lead the No. 3 UConn Huskies over the East Carolina Pirates, 98-42,
on Saturday. Next up will be an exhibition game vs. Team USA featuring
several former Huskies at the XL Center on Monday night.

GREENVILLE, NC—Christyn Williams led all scorers with 26 points, while Megan Walker chipped in with a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) and the No. 3 University of Connecticut Huskies pulled away after a challenging first quarter to easily defeat the East Carolina University Pirates, 98-42, before 2,241 fans at Minges Coliseum on Saturday. The Huskies had their long-range radar on, going 15-for-25 from beyond the arc (60 percent), including an 8-for-10 show by freshman sharpshooter Anna Makurat, who finished with 24 points.

The Pirates were led by Lashonda Monk with 17 points including a highlight-reel bucket from well beyond the half-court line to end the first quarter.

Two days after renewing a long-standing rivalry with Tennessee, the Huskies withstood a frenetic early effort by the Pirates, who trailed by only six points, 22-16, at the first turn. Connecticut took control in the second stanza behind the play of Crystal Dangerfield, as well as well as Makurat leading the transition game. Dangerfield’s quickness and push led to plenty of open shots for Walker and Williams.

After ECU scored the first two of the second quarter, the Huskies when on a 16-1 run and never looked back. Consecutive treys by Walker and Makurat made it 38-19 Huskies with 4:17 remaining until halftime. Walker posted all of her points and 11 of her 12 rebounds in the first half as the Huskies led by 29 points, 50-21, at intermission. The Big Blue Wave continued to roll in the third period as the Huskies opened up a 53-point advantage, at the third turn.

Diana Taurasi

Sue Bird

 

With the win, UConn improves to 18-1 overall, 8-0 in American Athletic Conference play. The Huskies are now 128-0 all-time in AAC play, including regular season and postseason championship tournament play. ECU fell to 3-16 overall, 0-6 in The American. The Pirates are 5-100 all-time vs. ranked opponents.

The Huskies now continue a stretch of five games in 12 days when they return home to host the U.S. National Women’s Team on Monday at the XL Center. The USA roster includes former UConn stars Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart and Katie Lou Sameuelson. Tip-off is at 7 p.m., and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.

—Staff Reports

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