University of Connecticut Athletics
No. 2 UConn Opens Conference Play on Saturday against SMU
12/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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HARTFORD, Conn. - After posting eight wins in its first nine non-conference games, the No. 2 University of Connecticut women's basketball team is set to open American Athletic Conference Play on Saturday, Dec. 27 when it hosts SMU at the XL Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. on SNY and can also be heard live on the UConn/IMG Radio Network.
UConn (8-1) most recently topped UCLA, 86-50, at the Mohegan Sun Arena behind a 22-point performance from junior forward Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, N.Y.) Following the game, Stewart was tabbed as The American's Player of the Week for the second time this season while freshman guard Gabby Williams (Sparks, Nevada) was named The American's Freshman of the Week after posting a breakout game against No. 25 DePaul on Friday night, setting career highs in points (14), made field goals (6) and rebounds (7). She continued her strong stretch of play with a 12-point, seven-rebound effort against the Bruins on Sunday night.
The Huskies are 27-5 all-time in conference openers and have won 22 of their last 23 such contests. Connecticut and SMU met on the hardwood for the first time last season as UConn swept the two-game season series with its Texas-based foe.
With a win on Saturday, 30th-year head coach Geno Auriemma is set to pass Leon Barmore (La. Tech) as the sport's all-time leader in winning percentage (.8688). The Husky head coach currently stands at 887-134 and is the only coach to win nine national titles in the women's game.
Senior forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) can make history of her own as she stands just three made 3-pointers behind Husky legend Maya Moore for second all-time on the list (311). Mosqueda-Lewis is shooting an incredible 55.4 percent (31-of-56) from long range this season and boasts a 44.1 career three-point percentage, a mark that is good for second in program history.
The Mustangs head to Hartford with a 4-7 overall record but have lost four-in-a-row. Freshman forward Alicia Froling is the squad's leading scorer at 11.3 points per game and also is pulling down 7.6 rebounds per contest. As a team, SMU is shooting just .363 from the field, including a .229 mark from beyond the arc.
