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UConn Women’s Basketball Crushes USF in AAC Tournament Semifinals, 81-45

The Huskies advance to the conference tournament championship for the 15th consecutive season.

Megan Walker had 24 points in the win for UConn.
Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog

In the semifinals of the AAC Tournament, UConn women’s basketball had no problems dispatching the USF Bulls, 81-45.

After a rough first half yesterday, UConn’s defense came out strong against the Bulls. USF hit their first shot on a running layup but missed on their next eight attempts. The Huskies took advantage and scored 10 unanswered points, building themselves a comfortable lead early.

UConn made life for USF’s offense hard by forcing eight turnovers which they converted into 11 points. The Bulls made just two shots the entire first quarter and had five points after the first 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, the Huskies turned their already-sizable lead into a blowout thanks to a 12-0 run from Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield. Collier stretched the floor with a pair of 3-pointers after entering the game with just 10 triples all season.

It only took midway through the second quarter for UConn to triple up the score on USF off one of those three’s from Collier, 33-11. At the half, the Huskies lead 41-15.

Once the second half began, UConn made sure not to let the Bulls back into the game. After a pair of baskets by USF, the Huskies scored 13-straight points and didn’t allow another field goal for the next 8:33.

With the lead well in-hand entering the final quarter, UConn worked its bench players into the game for the last 10 minutes. The Huskies struggled as USF went on a 12-0 run but UConn had enough breathing room for it not to matter. In the end, the Huskies advanced to their 15th-straight conference tournament championship game.

For the third time in her career, Megan Walker led UConn in scoring with 24 points while also adding seven rebounds. Collier set a career-high with three made 3-pointers while notching her second-straight double-double with 23 points and 12 boards.

As a team, the Huskies limited USF to 26 percent shooting and just seven percent from beyond the arc.

UConn will play UCF in the championship game game on Monday night at 7 p.m.