Moore's Season-High Paces UConn Past Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH, PA (January 25) - Junior Jessica Moore (Palmer, AK) poured in a season-high 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the University of Connecticut women's basketball team past Pittsburgh 76-55 in front a sellout crowd of 12,500 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The capacity crowd was the first ever for the Panther's women's basketball program.  With the victory UConn improves its record to 18-0 overall and 6-0 in the BIG EAST, while the Panthers fall to 9-8 on the season and 1-4 in conference play.

The Huskies jumped on Pittsburgh early on, taking an 18-6 lead with 13:55 remaining in the first half. Junior Diana Taurasi (Chino, CA) keyed the run with five points and three assists in the decisive stretch. Taurasi's third assist was 400th of her career.  The junior All-American would finish the half with 12 points and UConn would out-rebound Pitt 32-11 in the stanza to take a 39-20 lead into the locker room.

The second half saw UConn's lead grow to as many as 25 points as the Husky lead would never shrink below double-digits.  Once again UConn controlled the boards in the second half as they out-rebounded the Panthers 24-10 including a 13-2 advantage on the offensive glass.

Three other Huskies scored in double figures.  Taurasi had 14 and a team high six assists, freshman Barbara Turner (Cleveland, OH) scored 13 points, and junior Maria Conlon (Derby, CT) added 10.  Sophomore, Ashley Battle (Pittsburgh, PA) tied a career-high with 13 rebounds.  The Huskies out-worked the Panthers on the glass leading to an 18-4 advantage on second chance points.

Laine Selwyn and Mandy Wittenmyer paced Pittsburgh with 16 and 15 points respectively.

UConn is back in action Wednesday, January 29th when they take on conference opponent Villanova at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.  Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.