University of Connecticut Athletics
Connecticut Wins Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic
12/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HONOLULU, HI (Dec. 1) - Junior Diana Taurasi scored a season high 30 points and became the 23rd player in UConn women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points, as Connecticut downed Oklahoma 73-60, in a rematch of the 2002 National Championship game, for the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic Championship. The Huskies win the championship for the second time as they move to 5-0 on the season, while Oklahoma falls to 5-1.
The first half saw both teams shoot the ball well as UConn shot 53.1 percent from the field and Oklahoma was 46.2 percent from the field. Connecticut took a two point half time lead at 44-42, behind Taurasi’s 18 points and freshman Ann Strother’s 14.
The Huskies started the second half on a 15-1 run, to push out to a 59-43 lead with 13:40 to go. Connecticut would hold on from there as they held Oklahoma to 18.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half , while they continued their hot shooting at 55.6 percent.
Taurasi finished the game with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while becoming the 23rd player in UConn history to score 1,00o points. Strother added 16 points and junior Jessica Moore chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds. The Huskies out shot and out rebounded the Sooners in the game.
Oklahoma was led by Maria Villarroel with 27 points and Dionnah Jackson with 13.
Connecticut continues action on the road at Holy Cross on Thur., Dec. 5, at the Worcester Coliseum in Worcester, Mass. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
