UConn Women’s Basketball Tramples No. 15 Maryland, 97-72

In their first game without Katie Lou Samuelson, the top-ranked UConn women’s basketball team soundly defeated the No. 15 Maryland Terrapins, 97-72.

With Samuelson out due to a foot injury suffered on Friday against Cal, Azura Stevens earned her first career start. The Duke transfer showed out with a double-double, dropping 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kia Nurse, meanwhile, led all scorers with 21 points on five-of-eight shooting from three.

UConn exploded out of the gate with a 7-0 run and looked poised to take over the game in the first few minutes. But Maryland responded with a 7-0 run of their own to pull even. All it did was delay the inevitable. The Huskies bounced back with a 9-0 run, which turned into 19-2 run, which turned into a 32-11 lead after the first quarter.

Kia Nurse caught fire from deep, hitting four-of-five from beyond the arc for 12 points in the first ten minutes.

The pace slowed in the second quarter as UConn only outscored Maryland 14-10. The Husky defense was especially stiff, holding the Terps scoreless over the last 2:42 of the half. They also forced 15 Maryland turnovers which turned into 22 points. Maryland finished with 20 turnovers. The Huskies struggled with turnovers as well as they coughed the ball up 25 times, which led to 29 Maryland points.

The Huskies came out of the half and quickly put the game out of reach, pushing the lead over 30 by the end of the third quarter. With the game in hand, Auriemma used the last quarter to rest his starters and give the reserves some run.

Freshmen Megan Walker and Andra Espinoza-Hunter made the most of their minutes, as they scored 12 points and six points, respectively. Espinoza-Hunter flashed her shooting ability, draining two-of-three from beyond the arc.

All five UConn starters finished in double-figure scoring, while Stevens, Napheesa Collier, and Gabby Williams notched double-doubles. The Huskies won the rebounding battle, 57-35, and enjoyed a 52-36 advantage in points in the paint.

Next, the Huskies head out to the west coast for three games in the next week. Their next game is at UCLA on Tuesday, with tipoff set at 10:30 pm.

Grid View

• UConn’s Katie Lou Samuelson (33) watches her team warmup at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn’s Gabby Williams (15) goes in strong for a layup at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn’s Napheesa Collier (24) puts up a shot over a Maryland defender at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) goes in for a layup at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Napheesa Collier (24) puts up a shot over a Maryland defender at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Azura Stevens (23) goes for the block of Maryland's Kaila Charles (5) shot at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Azura Stevens (23) puts up a shot at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Kia Nurse (11) launches a three-pointer at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Kia Nurse (11) defends a Maryland player. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) tries to block the shot of Maryland Terrapins guard Ieshia Small (1). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) goes in strong for a layup. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) takes it to the basket for two. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) goes in for a layup against Maryland. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Kia Nurse (11) looks for an open teammate. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) fights with a Maryland player for a rebound. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Napheesa Collier (24) goes up for a rebound with Maryland's Brianna Fraser (34). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Azura Stevens (23) and Gabby Williams try to block the shot of Maryland Terrapins forward Brianna Fraser (34). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Napheesa Collier (24) blocks the shot of Maryland Terrapins forward Brianna Fraser (34). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Crystal Dangerfield (5) goes in for a layup. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Crystal Dangerfield (5) goes in for a layup. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Napheesa Collier (24) goes in for a layup, Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Azura Stevens (23) puts up a three-pointer. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) goes in for a layup. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Crystal Dangerfield (5) goes up for a layup in front of Maryland's Sarah Myers (21). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Gabby Williams (15) defends a Maryland player. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Crystal Dangerfield (5) tries to split two Maryland defenders with a pass to Azura Stevens (23). Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• The UConn Huskies take on the Maryland Terrapins in a women's college basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 19, 2017. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog
• UConn�s Katie Lou Samuelson chats with Batouly Camara on the UConn bench. Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma postgame:

Kia Nurse, Gabby Williams, Azura Stevens, Crystal Dangerfield postgame:

Maryland head coach Brenda Frese postgame: