Strong Second Half Helps UConn Advance to Sweet 16
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 STORRS,
CT (March 25, 2003) – Junior Diana Taurasi (Chino, CA) scored a career-high 35
points to lead #1-seed Connecticut to an 81-66 come from behind victory over
ninth-seeded Texas Christian University in an NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
Second Round game at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. The win propels UConn into
the East Regional in Dayton, OH on Sunday, March 30, where they will play league
foe Boston College.
The victory improves the Huskies’ record to 33-1, while the Lady Frogs finish
the campaign at 20-14.
UConn trailed 35-33 at the half before the Huskies blew
out to a 14-0 run to begin the second stanza over the half’s first 4:14.
Taurasi scored eight points in the decisive run, capping the streak with a
three-pointer that put the Huskies ahead 47-35. UConn would lead by as many as
19 and the Lady Frogs could no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Taurasi was magnificent throughout the contest hitting on 12 of 17 from the
field, including five of eight from beyond the arc. She also was a perfect six
for six from the charity stripe in a truly virtuoso performance. Her point
total bettered her previous career-high which was set last season at Tennessee
(32 points).
While Taurasi was terrific, she had plenty of company in
aiding the Huskies into the Sweet Sixteen. Sophomore Ashley Battle (Pittsburgh,
PA) notched a double-double off the bench, scoring 16 and yanking down 11
rebounds. Sophomore Jessica Moore (Palmer, AK) added 12 points and nine
rebounds. Freshman Ann Strother (Castle Rock, CO) struggled from the field,
hitting just one of seven, but had a game-high five assists.
TCU lead throughout the first half, leading by as many as
seven on two occasions. Sandora Irvin and Tiffany Evans combined to score 19
points in the opening half for the Lady Frogs. The Huskies rallied to knot the
score at 33 with 24 seconds left before halftime, before Evans gave TCU the
halftime lead on a lay-up just before the buzzer.
The Huskies shot 46% from the field, and constantly pounded
the ball inside, scoring 36 points in the paint. Irvin scored 19 points for TCU,
which was plagued by 17 turnovers and 33% shooting.
Game time for the Boston College game will be determined at
a later date.
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