University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Routs BU to advance to NCAA Second Round
3/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Junior All-American Diana Taurasi (Chino, CA) poured in 21 points and dished out seven assists to lead the University of Connecticut women's basketball team past Boston University, 91-44, in the first round of the NCAA Division I women's basketball championship in Storrs, CT.
The victory improves UConn's record to 32-1 on the campaign and advances the Huskies into the second round where they will face the winner of the TCU vs. Michigan State contest set to tip-off at 2:20pm in Storrs.
UConn stormed out of the gate in its first game since March 11th, taking an early 10-2 lead at the 17:03 mark. Katie Terhune would hit a three to pull BU within five at 10-5, but the Terriers got no closer for the remainder as UConn mounted a 20-4 run over the next eight minutes to take a commanding 30-9 lead with 9:10 remaining in the first half. Taurasi led the way for the Huskies, scoring 14 points in the stanza to head into the locker room with a 49-22 advantage.
The second half was again dominated early by Connecticut as it jumped out to a 19-6 run over the first five minutes of the second half and remained in control throughout.
Also scoring in double-figures for Connecticut was the freshman duo of Ann Strother (Castle Rock, CO) and Barbara Turner (Cleveland, OH) who scored 16 and 15 points respectively. Sophomore Ashley Battle (Pittsburgh, PA) chipped in with 13 for the Huskies. The Terriers were out-matched on the boards as UConn out-rebounded BU 46-to-21 on the afternoon thanks in large part to Turner who snared ten. UConn's defense was in post-season form as it limited BU to 30% shooting for the day (15-for-50).
Adrienne Norris' 16 points led the way for BU, while Katie Terhune had 11.
