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Final Score: UConn Dismantles Mississippi State, 98-38

The Huskies jumped out to a 13-0 lead and put on an amazing display at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

Ian Bethune

Three games into the NCAA Tournament, we're still waiting for somebody to compete with the UConn Huskies. Today, they blew the doors off of 5-seeded Mississippi State, 98-38. It was the largest margin of victory ever in a Sweet 16 game.

After a 13-0 start, the first quarter ended with the Huskies ahead, 32-4. The familiar combo of Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck and Katie Lou Samuelson led the scoring charge as the Huskies shot lights out from the floor (62.7%) and brought the same intensity on the other side of the court as well. By halftime, UConn held a remarkable 61-12 lead.

The most impressive part of this game—and there are many—is that the Huskies never let up. Despite holding a huge lead they kept playing like a scrappy underdog trying to make an upset. It is the hallmark of Geno Auriemma's teams and the secret ingredient of the program's immense success.

Stewart had a double-double by halftime and finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks while going 8-of-10 from the field. She left the game with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter along with Moriah Jefferson.

Jefferson passed Jen Rizzoti for second-most career assists and steals in program history, finishing with seven points, four steals and four assists.

Samuelson finished with 21 points and Tuck scored 19 in a complete effort where she pulled down six rebounds, four assists and three steals as well. Backups played the entire fourth quarter.

The Huskies will play the winner of UCLA vs. Texas on Monday at 7 p.m.

Photo gallery credits: Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog