Huskies Roll Over Providence, 85-61

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, RI (Feb. 3, 2002) -- Behind a balanced offensive and defensive effort, the No. 1 University of Connecticut women’s basketball team rolled over BIG EAST foe Providence, 85-61, in Providence Sunday afternoon to improve to 24-0 overall, 10-0 in the BIG EAST.

In the first half, UConn stormed to the 45-23 lead, blitzing the Friars with an impressive display on both sides of the floor. Led by sophomore Diana Taurasi (Chino, CA), who shot 6-for-8 from the floor in the first stanza, UConn posted a 57.1 field goal percentage while holding Providence to a 41.2 percent performance on 7-for-17 shooting. The Huskies also recorded 28 points off 23 Providence turnovers and notched 13 steals in the first half en route to a season-high 18 for the game.

Taurasi paced UConn with 14 points at the break while seniors Asjha Jones (Piscataway, NJ) and Swin Cash (McKeesport, PA) each had eight. Michal Epstein had 10 points for Providence, who had only four players in the scoring column in the half.

In the second half, UConn maintained its 20-point plus lead, despite cooling off to a 48.1 field goal percentage. The Friars improved to 44.8 percent from the floor in the second stanza while improving their control of the ball with 12 second-half turnovers.

For the game, Providence managed to outrebound UConn, 33-32, becoming only the third team to do so this season, and shot 57.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

However, the early deficit and 35 turnovers for the game were simply too much to overcome, as UConn coasted to its 23rd double-digit victory of the season.

UConn’s five starters each posted double figure point tallies, led by Taurasi with 20 points, the most for the sophomore guard since her 32-point barrage against Tennessee nearly a month ago. Cash finished with 14 points and a team-high seven boards while senior Sue Bird (Syosset, NY) had 13. Jones and senior Tamika Williams (Dayton, OH) each had 10 points. Jones also posted a team-high five steals for UConn.

For the Friars, Epstein had a career game with 23 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the floor, including four three-pointers. The freshman guard also had a game-high eight rebounds.

UConn returns home to Gampel Pavilion for its next game, a 7:30 p.m. BIG EAST contest with Seton Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 6.