University of Connecticut Athletics
No. 3 Huskies Slay Scarlet Knights, 70-45
2/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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| Connecticut's Sue Bird flies past Rutgers' Karlita Washington for a shot in the first half. (AP Photo/Bob Child) (AP Photo/Bob Child) |
DONNA TOMMELLEO
AP Sports Writer
STORRS, Conn. (AP) (Feb. 14, 2001) -- Kennitra Johnson had 17 points and matched a career high with five 3-pointers in No. 3 Connecticut's 70-45 victory over No. 11 Rutgers on Wednesday.
Freshman Diana Taurasi scored 15 points, all on 3-pointers, and had six of UConn's 21 assists. The Huskies (21-2, 11-1) matched a school record with 14 3-pointers.
Rutgers' zone defense kept the Huskies from penetrating early, but the 3-point shot was open all game. UConn misfired early, hitting 3-of-11 from 3-point range in the first 13 minutes, but never abandoned the shot. Rutgers (17-6, 9-3) shot 25 percent in the period.
Johnson had five points in a 13-2 run late in the first half to put UConn up 26-13. Up 12 points at the break, UConn opened the second half with a 15-10 run. Johnson hit a pair of 3-pointers in that stretch.
Taurasi hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the second half as UConn broke it open with 57-36 lead and shot 58 percent in the half.
UConn set the 3-point mark in the Feb. 7 win over Virginia Tech. Reserve guard Maria Conlan hit the shot in that game to set the record and also hit the 14th 3-pointer on Wednesday night.
Davalyn Cunningham led Rutgers with 12 points.
UConn outrebounded Rutgers 37-29. Swin Cash and Asjha Jones each had five rebounds for the Huskies.
