UConn rolls over Cincinnati, 72-42, in American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma has always said he does not like facing his former players, especially Cincinnati head coach Jamelle Elliot. Cincinnati’s win over Central Florida in Friday’s first round game of the American Athletic Conference women’s basketball championship made this matchup unavoidable, and the outcome as expected, a 72-42 UConn victory,

Breanna Stewart led the undefeated Huskies with 22 points, while Bria Hartley, Stefanie Dolson and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis each scored in double figures. Dolson added nine rebounds.

From the opening tap UConn was in control, opening up a 37-17 halftime lead.

Cincinnati was led by Jeanise Randolph’s 14 points, but the Huskies held Cincinnati to 32 percent shooting.

“We try to do what the rules say we can do (defensively),” said Auriemma. “We try not to put our players in position where it’s difficult to defend. I think we traditionally haven’t fouled a lot. By that we get to keep our best players in the game and we’re not the kind of team that takes a lot of chances, a lot of risks. We just play straight up defense and we try to make sure we are doing things that aren’t going to hurt us.”

UConn plays Rutgers in the first semifinal game tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun.