UConn too much for Seton Hall as Huskies move to 21-0

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — The game was moved up a day due to an impending storm set to strike the Northeast.

As it turned out, another storm went through Walsh Gymnasium on Saturday, as top-ranked UConn defeated Seton Hall, 92-52, improving to 21-0.

Seton Hall (14-6, 8-3 Big East) started fast, getting out to a 6-0 start and forcing UConn coach Geno Auriemma to call the game’s first timeout. The Huskies responded using an inside/outside combination, with Azzi Fudd burying three of UConn’s four three-pointers. Seton Hall held a 15-13 lead before UConn went on a 9-0 run. At the end of the first period, the Huskies held a 25-17 lead.

The second stanza saw UConn post another 25 points while imposing its pressure defense, allowing the Pirates just 11 points. UConn took a 50-28 lead into halftime, a lead that would not be seriously challenged in the final 20 minutes.

Points of Emphasis

Defense: UConn’s defense was outstanding. The Huskies forced 27 turnovers for a 30 percent turnover rate. Utilizing the coaching axiom of defense being your best offense, UConn held a resounding 37-12 advantage on points off turnovers. Auriemma’s Huskies will show some full-court pressure and in the half-court, double-team the opposing point guard as she gets over halfcourt. But it’s not all about schemes. There is no category in the stat sheet for deflections. If there were, UConn’s final number would be off the charts. And what makes the Husky defense so effective is its length and ability to disrupt and clog the passing lanes.

Auriemma gave an interesting postgame assessment of his team’s dynamics.

“They want to have a great team,” he said. “They come to practice ready to go for the most part. I’ve enjoyed coaching them. I don’t know who our captains are, who our leaders are. I think individually and collectively, they push each other and hold each other accountable. We have enough good players, and if you don’t play the way we want, you won’t play a lot. It’s ‘I gotta earn my minutes.’ It’s not like the last three years and Paige (Bueckers) says, ‘what are you gonna do, take me out?’”

“It’s been fun coaching them. Part of them probably says we lost the best player in the country and we’re able to do what we’ve been doing. I’m really proud of that.”

Offense: The Huskies post an average 120 offensive efficiency, third-best nationally. On the afternoon, they checked in at 121. They spread the wealth with four players in double figures.

Interestingly, two came off the bench. Sarah Strong led the way with 17 points. Blanca Quiñonez (16), Fudd (14) and Allie Ziebell (11) were the other double-digit scorers.

UConn leads the nation with a 69 defensive efficiency. The Huskies limited Seton Hall to 67. Their lowest offensive efficiency was 62 in their first loss to UConn, earlier this month in Hartford.

UConn does a great job getting in the lane via penetration. The Huskies are adept at making that extra pass and finding an open cutter. Their 25 assists on 35 field goals in this matchup is a testament to that. Just to keep the defense honest, UConn shoots 39 percent from beyond the arc.

Mariana Valenzuela had another solid effort for Seton Hall. Valenzuela scored the first six points of the game en route to a game-high 18 points. The Pirates’ senior forward battled throughout adding a game-high eight rebounds to complement her scoring. Savannah Catalon was The Hall’s other double-figure scorer, with 13 points. Fudd had praise for the job Catalon is doing with Jada Eads sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL.

“She’s super talented and super skilled,” Fudd said of Catalon. “You have to keep her in front of you, as she can score on three levels. She’s done a really good job. Having someone out isn’t ideal, but they’ve done a great job adjusting.”

Jada Eads: Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella declined meeting with the media postgame due to illness. I caught up with Jada Eads who, as noted, is out for the season with a torn ACL. An excellent player and fierce competitor, Eads can only watch from the sideline in between physical therapy sessions. We discussed her post-op therapy, saying it was going very well. With her upbeat mindset, she concluded our brief talk saying, “I’ll be back.”

Numbers and notes: One of the most amazing numbers came from Seton Hall associate athletic director for communications Matt Sweeney, who doubled as the public address announcer. Seton Hall led UConn for 4:13 in the game. That is the longest the Huskies have trailed in any of their contests this season.

UConn has now won 43 consecutive games over the Pirates. Seton Hall’s last win over UConn was in January of 1994. The Pirates’ coach back then, Phyllis Mangina, was in attendance Saturday.

For the game, UConn shot 58 percent from the floor, including 11-of-29 from three-point range. Seton Hall checked in at 31 percent shooting and 5-for-25 from long distance. The Huskies held a narrow 32-31 advantage on the boards, but showed an outstanding 45-10 difference in bench points.

UConn hosts Xavier on Wednesday in its next contest. Seton Hall had a four-game winning streak

snapped. The Pirates have won seven of their last nine, with both setbacks coming against UConn.

Seton Hall will travel to Georgetown to face the

Hoyas on Thursday in a school day game at 11 a.m.