University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Rush Past Bulls, 107-40
11/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. (November 19, 2004) – Junior guard Ann Strother (Castle Rock, Colo.) scored 20 points in just 18 minutes of playing time to lead four teammates in double figures as fourth-ranked Connecticut easily defeated Buffalo, 107-40, Friday evening in the 2004-2005 season opener for both teams at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. The crowd of 10,167 was the 83rd straight sell out for UConn in Storrs.
Strother got the Huskies out of the gate quickly hitting a three-pointer and a hoop to key a quick 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest. The hot-shooting Huskies never let up, making 20 of 32 first half field goal attempts (63%) in cruising to a 51-15 lead at intermission. Strother made seven of 10 in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 13 of UConn’s first 21 points en route to outscoring the Bulls on her own, 17-15. Freshman Charde Houston (San Diego, Calif.) had a dazzling debut, making all five of her field goal attempts in the first half on her way to 17 points on seven of eight shooting.
With the outcome never in doubt, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma played each of his 12 Huskies at least 10 minutes, and 11 players entered the scoring column. Starting freshman point guard Ketia Swanier (Columbus, Ga.), also playing her first game in National Flag Blue and white, was scoreless, but had a game-high eight assists against no turnovers in 21 efficient minutes. Senior point guard Ashley Valley (Colchester, Vt.) came off the bench to dish out a career-high six assists.
Also in double figures for UConn was senior Ashley Battle (Pittsburgh, Penna.) and junior college transfer Rashidat Sadiq (Lagos, Nigeria), who scored 12 apiece and junior forward Barbara Turner (Cleveland, Ohio), who chipped in with 11. The Huskies out rebound Buffalo, 43-26, paced by Battle’s seven and forced 20 turnovers, which were converted into 33 points.
UConn ended the contest shooting 64% (43 of 67) on their way to their highest point total since scoring 109 against Pepperdine on December 20, 2002.
The Huskies will have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Raleigh, N.C. to play North Carolina on Sunday, in the Jimmy V Classic. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN.
GAME NOTES
* UConn opened the game with a 9-0 run before Buffalo scored its first points at 15:59.
* Ketia Sawnier became the first freshman to open the season at point guard at UConn since Sue Bird in 1998-99.
* Ann Strother scored 10 of UConn’s first 21 points.
* UConn improves to 23-8 all-time in season openers, 15-4 since Geno Auriemma became head coach in 1985-86.
* The Huskies have won each of their last nine season openers.
* UConn improves to 26-5 in home opener- 18-1 since Geno Auriemma took over as head coach in 1985-86.
* Charde Houston’s 17 points are the most by a UConn freshman in their collegiate debut since Jamelle Elliott scored 20 points and Jennifer Rizzotti scored 23 vs. Fairfield on Dec. 1, 1992.
* UConn has won each of its last 14 home openers.
* Ann Strother’s eight field goals tied a career-high.
* Ashley Battle’s two 3-point field goals tied her career-high.
* Ann Strother’s 20 points marked the third 20-plus point game of her career and her 44th career game in double figures.
* Freshman Charde Houston scored 17 points on 7 of 8 shooting in her collegiate debut.
* Ashley Valley dished out a career-best six assists
* Buffalo’s 40 points marked the lowest total by a UConn opponent since Virginia Tech was held to 34 on March 7, 2004.
* 107 points mark most UConn has scored since UConn scored 109 vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 20, 2002.
* Friday’s game marked the first-ever meeting between UConn and Buffalo in the sport of woman’s basketball.
* UConn is 341-22 overall since the 1994-95 season.
* UConn is 176-9 since the 1999-00 season.
* Tonight’s game marked the 83rd straight sellout at Gampel Pavilion.
* With tonight’s victory, UConn has won its last 52 games at Gampel Pavilion.
* Jessica Moore started her 73rd straight game.
* Huskies improve to 197-5 at home since 1993-94.
* UConn extended its winning streak vs. unranked teams at home to 160 games.
GENO AURIEMMA POST GAME QUOTES
Do you have an idea if you have a possible All-American?
“Ann (Strother) is the closest thing we have right now. We have certainly had our share though, and I know what one looks like."
What about Charde (Houston)? Could she possibly be an All-American candidate?
“Possibly, if she had the work ethic of Svetlana (Abrosimova). It’s going to take her a little bit of time. It could be next year. It could be this year. Some kids with her talent never make it. She’s got some things that very few people have. She’s strong, quick, and fast."
Did one thing stand out with her performance?
“I appreciate that she went out and played good defense. I just want her to work hard every day. She worked hard in the game today. There were a couple lapses, but you don’t score that many points without knowing how to score. I was happy to see her do some of those other things."
Were you hoping to play this well?
“You always hope to play this well. We really needed something good to happen because I didn’t think the last exhibition games was all that great and they didn’t think so either. Practices weren’t going all that great, so our players needed a confidence booster. I think they got one. I hope that gives them some momentum for Sunday."
Are you anxious for Sunday (against North Carolina)?
“We’ve always enjoyed these games early on. I don’t remember too many years where we didn’t have a game like this early on. I like to find out right away what we have. If Ann (Strother) comes out making shots like she did today who knows what will happen. Keeping them off the boards will be tougher for them than today. Games like this sometimes bring out the best in us."
CONNECTICUT PLAYER QUOTES
On tonight’s game
The energy level was great. Tonight was amazing. Everyone was excited and ready to go. We were comfortable and it showed. It was a good win for us but you can’t look at say that’s it’s going to happen every time. We need to prepare the same way we did today for every game.
On Charde Houston
You can definitely see the improvement from her every day. For her to come out and play like that, it was just great. It’s exactly what we need from her.
On Ketia Swanier
She had a great game. She’s doing really well. To look at her from day one to now you can see that the improvement was amazing.
On the difference between this game and the two exhibition games
The biggest thing that I can think of was the energy. You could feel it in the locker room before the game. It was a different level of everyone being really excited and together. Everyone came together tonight and put in all they had. Tuesday night’s game was such a let down at halftime and that was something we were focused on this game to not let that happen again.
On the upcoming game Sunday
There is no better way for us to go into Sunday’s game than with the energy level that we have right now.
On tonight’s game
I felt like I had to go out there and give it my all and just walk off the court knowing that I gave everything out there.
How difficult were the days after Tuesday?
The were actually not that difficult because I believe in working hard and it made me realize that I’m a great player but I have to be willing to work hard.
Was it better to have this episode early in the season?
Yes. I don’t want to have any mental breakdowns during the big games because that can cost us. It was better to get it out of the way earlier so that I could benefit more from it.
Were you anxious about the start tonight?
I was more nervous about showing my coach what I could do and what I’m capable of. It was about going out there when I had the chance and doing what I had to do.
Did you have fun tonight?
Absolutely. There’s no place I’d rather be than Connecticut
On tonight’s game
I think that there was just a higher mental effort from everyone. It was our first regular season game and we haven’t been playing up to our potential up until now.
On Sunday’s upcoming game
This game was really crucial going into Sunday. We really needed to get our confidence level up. We’re really excited to play North Carolina. They’re a great team.
On Charde Houston
Hopefully she can really learn from this and what happened put there today.
BUFFALO POST GAME QUOTES
#40 Heather Turner
How did you feel about this being your first collegiate game?
“I was a little nervous but it was nerves that gave me a more intense feeling about being out there.”
Throw out the score for a second. What can you take away from this game?
“I don’t think we ever quit. I think we stayed with it the whole time. We never gave up so that’s always a positive. Even though we were getting beat, we stayed strong and didn’t hang our heads.”
Head Coach Cheryl Dozier
General comments on the game
It’s a great opportunity for us. I told our kids going into the game that we were going to be able to look at some things we need to work on afterwards and we knew it was a tall task coming in and there are so many great things that stand out about UConn. You can watch them on film but until you actually get on the floor against them, I don’t think film truly justifies what they do.”
On the youth of her squad
“We’re so young in the post. UConn welcomed our freshman to college basketball.”
