Connecticut advances in Bridgeport Regional, routs Vanderbilt, 77-44

STORRS, Conn. – When conference realignment spins again, maybe the University of Connecticut should try to get into the SEC. Geno Auriemma’s Huskies have not lost to an SEC school since Sylvia Fowles and LSU knocked them out of the 2007 NCAA tournament regional finals.

At Gampel Pavilion tonight Vanderbilt became the most recent SEC team to fall to the Huskies, 77-44. A gritty, aggressive team, the Commodores were able to stay within distance for the first half, trailing at the break 37-24.

UConn blitzed Vanderbilt to start the second half, opening with a 17-0 run, to blow the game open.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis broke the Connecticut record for most three-pointers in a single season, previously set by Wendy Davis in 1991-92 on her way to a game high 22 points. Breanna Stewart, after sitting out the opening round victory over Idaho with a sore calf, scored 14 in her NCAA tournament debut, and Stefanie Dolson contributed 12.

In her final appearance at Gampel Pavilion, senior Caroline Doty who has struggled with bad knees the entire season, was all over the court, diving for loose balls, pestering Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt to their credit never backed down, and played with the effort you would expect from coach Melanie Balcomb’s teams. Senior Tiffany Clarke led the Commodores with 16 points, but star point guard Jasmine Lister was held to 1-for-11 shooting and only 4 points. Backup center Kendall Shaw contriubted 12 points for Vanderbilt.