UConn Women’s Basketball Eases Past Tulsa, 68-49

UConn women’s basketball was without Geno Auriemma Sunday afternoon, but the Huskies still rolled past Tulsa, winning 68-49. Chris Dailey served as the Huskies’ head coach for just the eighth time in her 34 years in Storrs, and improved to an overall record of 8-0 in those games.

UConn didn’t have a great offensive performance against the Golden Hurricanes. They shot just 40.6 percent from the floor, which is their worst field goal percentage in a win so far this season. However, the Huskies secured the win on the other end of the court where they held Tulsa to shooting under 33 percent from the floor.

Megan Walker led the way for the Huskies, scoring a team-high 21 points on 8-13 shooting from the floor. She was the only starter to shoot over 50 percent in the game. The sophomore also had 10 rebounds for her fourth career double-double.

UConn started out slow, allowing Tulsa to pull away to a seven point lead in the first five minutes. However, the Huskies rebounded quickly and pulled away to a 22-14 lead behind Walker, who had 11 of her 21 points and five boards by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter the Huskies continued to pull ahead, owning a 14-point lead by the half.

UConn continued to struggle offensively in the second half, with both seniors shooting a combined 3-15 from the floor. Napheesa Collier helped combat the team’s poor shooting by grabbing two offensive boards in the third, for an eventual total of six in the game. However, the Huskies smothered Tulsa on the defensive end, allowing just six points in the third quarter.

Collier had an uncharacteristic shooting night, finishing just 31 percent from the floor. Even on what most would say was an “off” night for the senior, she finished with her fifth consecutive double-double. Collier tallied 12 points, a team-high 15 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in the game.

The win gives UConn at least a share of the regular season American Athletic Conference title for the fifth straight season.

The Huskies stay on the road as they head to Wichita, KS for their first ever visit to Charles Koch Arena to take on the Wichita State Eagles on Tuesday night. The game will be televised on SNY at 7:30 PM ET.