University of Connecticut Athletics
Turner Paces Connecticut at St. Joseph's
12/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 21) – Sophomore Barbara Turner scored a season-high 19 points in the University of Connecticut women’s basketball victory over St. Joseph’s, 87-34, on Sunday afternoon at the Palestra in Philadelphia, Pa.
UConn improved its record to 8-0 overall, continuing its regular season streak to 75 games. St. Joe’s fell to 4-3 on the season.
The Huskies opened the game shooting five-for-15 from the floor, but ended the half on a 13-2 run making the final 12 of its final 18 shots. Turner sparked the run for Connecticut on a three-pointer, and ended with 17 first half points, tying her season-high.
UConn scored on the opening tip, but Maura McBryan gave the Hawks’ their only lead of the game on a three-point shot, before Connecticut opened the score to 8-3. St. Joseph’s came as close as 29-17 late in the first half, but UConn’s run never allowed the Hawk’s to come any closer, as the team’s headed into the locker room with a 42-19 Husky lead.
Turner shot eight-for-12 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds. Senior Diana Taurasi added 18 points and dished out five assists. Overall, the Huskies shot 10-for-15 from three-point range, and was a strong seven-for-seven in the second half. The 10 three-point shots were a season-high for Connecticut.
UConn’s second half run of 29-4, gave UConn’s bench quality playing time. Senior Morgan Valley had a career-high seven assists, while adding five points and five rebounds. Junior Ashley Valley had a season-high eight points, one shy of tying her career-best, and was a perfect two-for-two from three-point range.
St. Joseph’s 15-second half points was the least allowed by the Huskies this season, and today’s 53-point victory margin was the largest for Connecticut since December 20, 2002 when the Huskies defeated Pepperdine by 61-points. Also, the 34-points scored by the Hawks was the least amount allowed by Connecticut since November 29, 2002 against Denver, an 85-29 victory.
McBryan and Elizabeth Mohan led St. Joe’s in scoring with seven points apiece. The Hawks shot 11-for-46 from the field, a 23.9 shooting percentage.
Connecticut will return home and play host to North Carolina State on Monday, December 29 at the Hartford Civic Center. Game time is set for 7:00 pm, and the game will be televised locally on CPTV.
