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Sue Bird races past Miami's Hutashi Wilson on her way to the basket in the frirst half. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

DONNA TOMMELLEO
Associated Press Writer

STORRS, Conn. (AP) - Swin Cash had 13 points and nine rebounds to lead second-ranked Connecticut to an 81-45 win over Miami on Tuesday (Jan. 23)in the Huskies' first game since falling to No. 2.

Kelly Schumacher added 10 points and Tamika Williams grabbed nine boards as the Huskies outrebounded Miami 49-33.

Top-ranked Notre Dame beat UConn Jan. 15 to snap the Huskies' 30-game win streak and knock the defending national champions from the top spot, a ranking they held for 30 weeks. The switch marks the first time in Big East women's basketball history that the top two spots are held by Big East schools.

The Huskies (16-1, 6-1 Big East) combined pressure defense and dominating post play to put the Hurricanes on their heels early and didn't let up. UConn opened with an 11-4 run, getting the first eight points inside and four points from Cash.

Shea Ralph capped the run with a 3-pointer, one of five UConn 3-pointers in the first half.

UConn closed out the half with a 14-3 run over the final seven minutes for a 41-20 lead at the break.

Miami (9-8, 2-4) sputtered offensively, shooting just 33 percent from the field.

The game bore little resemblance to the Dec. 5 meeting between the teams. UConn won 77-53 but outscored the Hurricanes by only four points in the second half. The Huskies opened the second half Tuesday with a 19-9 run and shot 50 percent in the period.

UConn outscored Miami 48-26 in the paint and had 34 points off Miami's 30 turnovers. Sue Bird had seven of UConn's 24 assists on 35 baskets.

Chanivia Broussard led Miami with 10 points and had her team's first eight points. Meghan Saake and Alicia Hartlaub each had six rebounds.