03/08/26 05:50:00
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03/08 17:49 CDT Strong, top-ranked Huskies cruise into Big East title game with
convincing win over Creighton
Strong, top-ranked Huskies cruise into Big East title game with convincing win
over Creighton
By JIM FULLER
Associated Press
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) --- Sarah Strong had 23 points, seven rebounds and six
steals to lead top-ranked UConn to a 100-51 win over Creighton in the Big East
semifinals on Sunday as the Huskies advanced to a conference championship game
for the 22nd season in a row.
UConn (33-0) shot 71% from 3-point range in the first three quarters on the way
to its 49th consecutive win. It was also the 38th conference tournament win in
a row as the Huskies scored 100 points in the Big East tournament for the first
time. Kayleigh Heckel added nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists for
the Huskies.
Kennedy Townsend had 13 points for Creighton (16-15), which was looking to
advance to conference title games in consecutive seasons for the first time
since losing in the 2009 and 2010 Missouri Valley Conference championship games.
UConn made 11 of its first 13 shots as the Huskies jumped out to a 27-4 lead,
Creighton only hit consecutive shots twice in the first half. Strong had 17
points, four rebounds, four assists, six steals and two blocked shots in the
first half. Arnold had 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting at halftime as the Huskies
lead 57-22 at the break.
Strong became the first NCAA Division I women's basketball player with at least
500 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals, 50 3-pointers and 50 blocked
shots in the last 25 seasons when she had her first block of the game. Azzi
Fudd hit her 100th 3-pointer of the season in the first half. She joined
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Katie Lou Samuelson as the only UConn women's
basketball players with at least 100 assists and 100 3-pointers in the same
season.
Up next
Creighton: Awaiting postseason bid.
UConn: plays Villanova in Big East final.
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