No. 1 UConn women top UCF 106-51 for 54th win in a row
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Breanna Stewart had 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead No. 1 UConn to a 106-51 victory over Central Florida on Wednesday night.
Natalie Butler added a season-high 20 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Huskies (17-0, 7-0 AAC), who have won 54 straight games, tying Louisiana Tech (1980-82) for the third-longest winning streak in Division I women's basketball history. UConn currently owns the top two winning streaks of 90 games (2008-11) and 70 (2001-03).
Starting forward Morgan Tuck, who is averaging 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, did not play due to soreness in her right knee. She expected to be sidelined for approximately two weeks as a precautionary measure.
UConn outscored UCF 25-0 over a span of 9:06 in the first half en route to a 52-15 lead at halftime. The Knights missed 13 straight shots during the run and committed 19 turnovers in the half.
Gabby Williams, starting in place of Tuck, added a career-high 19 points, seven rebounds and three steal for the Huskies, who shot 60 percent from the field. Napheesa Collier finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Katie Lou Samuelson (career-high seven assists) and Moriah Jefferson had 10 points apiece.
The Huskies scored 40 points off of 31 turnovers by UCF (4-14, 1-6).
Zykira Lewis led the Knights with 20 points and six rebounds. UCF shot 26.9 percent from the field in the first half.
TIP-INS
Central Florida: Coach Joi Williams served as an assistant coach on the 2011 U.S. U-19 team that featured current UConn stars Stewart and Tuck. ... The Knights are 0-16 against ranked opponents in nine seasons under Williams.
UConn: The Huskies have won 94 straight games against unranked teams dating to a 57-56 loss to St. John's Feb. 18, 2012. ... Stewart has scored at least 20 points in 54 games in her career. ... Moriah Jefferson moved into eighth place in team history in assists with 543.
UP NEXT
UCF: The Knights host No. 15 South Florida Sunday.
UConn: The Huskies begin a two-game road trip at SMU Saturday.