Memphis Tigers at UConn Huskies

UConn women rout Memphis 83-40 for 57th consecutive win

The top-ranked Huskies forced 34 turnovers Saturday in an 83-40 rout of Memphis. It was the sixth consecutive game in which UConn's opponent has turned the ball over at least 20 times.

"We made them feel uncomfortable offensively," said UConn's Breanna Stewart. "Just the way we were playing defensively, getting our hands in the passing lanes, pressuring them full court, forcing some 10-second violations and steals."

Stewart had 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals to lead UConn, which extended its winning streak to 57 games.

The Huskies (10-0 American Athletic) are 20-0 for the ninth time in program history and have reached the 20-win mark for the 23rd straight season.

Five UConn players scored in double figures.

Moriah Jefferson scored 11 points and had seven assists. Jefferson's third assist of the game, a pass to Saniya Chong for a 3-pointer in the first quarter, put her at the 100-assist plateau for the third straight season.

Freshman Katie Lou Samuelson added 13 points. Natalie Butler and Gabby Williams each chipped in with 10.

Mooriah Rowser had eight points to lead Memphis (12-10, 6-5), which lost for the first time in four games.

"It is very important, when you play against UConn and when you play on their home court, that you don't let it get to your heart and you don't let it get to your soul or your being or your self-worth," said Memphis coach Melissa McFerrin. "You have to walk away from this building and you have to leave it here, but you have to learn the lessons."

All five UConn starters scored in the first five minutes and the team jumped out to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter. It was the 11th time this season the Huskies have led by double digits after the first 10 minutes.

A jumper by Kia Nurse stretched the lead to 20 points at 30-10 midway through the second quarter. It was 38-16 at halftime and 66-28 after three quarters.

UConn shot 58 percent from the floor for the game and just under 71 percent in the second half.

The Huskies also improved to 52-0 in the history of the American Athletic Conference, including a 46-0 mark in the regular season and 6-0 through two conference tournaments.

Memphis had 26 turnovers in the team's first meeting, an 86-46 UConn win in Tennessee on Jan. 16, and had a hard time with the Huskies backcourt pressure in the first half.

"Once you take the other team out of their rhythm, what they normally want to do, a lot of times they just throw you the ball," said Jefferson.

The Tigers have never scored more than 49 points in their six meetings with the Huskies.

TIP-INS

Memphis: Cheyenne Creighton came into the game having made 40 of her 56 shots in conference play, a league-leading 71.4 percent. She had just three points and was held to just one basket on three attempts by the Huskies. She missed her only shot from the floor during the teams' first meeting.

UConn: Morgan Tuck missed her fourth consecutive game because problems with her surgically repaired right knee. Tuck participated in half-court drills in practice on Friday and coach Geno Auriemma said he's not sure when she will be back.

GETTING CLOSER

Stewart now has 2,331 points in her UConn career and is just 15 points from tying Tina Charles for second place on the school's all-time scoring list.

UP NEXT

Memphis: The Tigers have a week off before hosting Cincinnati on Feb. 6.

UConn: The Huskies head to New Orleans to face Tulane on Wednesday.

---

AP College Basketball Website: www.collegebasketball.ap.org

How can I watch Tigers vs. Huskies?

• TV Channel: Tigers vs Huskies 2021 College Basketball, week 12, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Venue: PeoplesBank Arena

Location: Hartford, CT
Attendance: 12,047 | Capacity: