Turner's Career High Leads UConn over Notre Dame

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NOTRE DAME, IN (Jan. 20) - Freshman Barbara Turner (Cleveland, OH) scored a career high 25 points on 9-11 shooting in her first career start, to lead the University of Connecticut to a 72-53, victory over the University of Notre Dame in front of 8,265 at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, IN.  The Huskies extend their record  NCAA Division I women's winning streak to 56 games.  UConn with the win also moves to 17-0 overall and 5-0 in the BIG EAST, while Notre Dame falls to 10-6 on the season and 2-3 in the conference.

UConn jumped out quickly to a 5-0 lead, but Notre Dame quickly answered to take an 11-9 lead.  Junior All-American Diana Taurasi (Chino, CA) then picked up her third foul with 12:41 to go in the half and the score tied at 11.  The young Huskies would answer the call though as they went on a 14-4 run to take a 10 point lead.  Junior Maria Conlon (Derby, CT) also found her shot in the half, as she hit three straight three pointers for another 9-0 run to give UConn a 19 point lead.  Turner and Ann Strother (Castle Rock, CO) also played well in the half with 15 and 11 points, respectively. UConn shot a season high 64% from the field in the first half, to give Connecticut a 46-27 halftime lead.

The Huskies started slowly in the second half, with the first basket coming three and a half minutes in.  UConn though would not let Notre Dame back in the game using an 8-2 run to push to a 23 point lead with just over 14 minutes to go.  Connecticut would hold on from there as they never allowed the Irish to get on a run.

The only other Husky to finish in double figures with Turner was Strother who finished with 15 points.  Taurasi led the Huskies in rebounds and assists with eight and six respectively.  UConn out rebound Notre Dame 40-28 and out shot them 49% to 35%.

Notre Dame was led by Jacqueline Batteast with 16 points and Courtney LaVere with 12.

The University of Connecticut will continue action on the road on Saturday, January 25, against Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and can be seen locally on CPTV.