The Daily Campus

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Erik Kong Maya Moore had a terrific offensive game, going 5-for-5 on field goals in the first half and finishing with 23 points in UConn's 71-48 win.

HARTFORD - The postgame mood was somber, dejected. Guard Renee Montgomery was notably irritated while answering questions about the team's "worst game of the year." After watching his team commit numerous turnovers, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma found a way to speak of the game with measured perspective.

"I'm pissed at them for not working hard," Auriemma said. "But after the game they got their meal money. It's a great country - whether you win or you lose, you get paid."

Such is life for the No. 1 team in the country following a sloppy effort.

Despite Auriemma's mockery - and 18 turnovers, their fourth-highest total of the year - the top-ranked Huskies (20-0, 7-0 Big East) grinded out a 71-48 victory over South Florida Wednesday night in front of 12,445 at the XL Center.

"We did a lot of bad things on defense on offense," Montgomery said. "This win wasn't a win to celebrate, and we have a lot of work to do."

Apart from the turnovers, Auriemma harped on the fact that the bigger, stronger, more talented Huskies were out-rebounded, 39-36 by USF. Brittany Denson, a forward who scored five points for the Bulls, pulled down nine boards. The Bulls notched 20 offensive rebounds as a team.

"They miss 40 shots, and we get six points [on the fast break]?" Auriemma said. "Come on. That's not asking a lot is it. [You're] 20 years old, a shot goes up - jump for the rebound."

In the past, UConn has shown it can dominate teams inside. On defense in the first half, at least, the Huskies did just that, holding South Florida (11-7, 1-6) to 3-of-23 shooting inside the 3-point arc. Tina Charles and Brittany Hunter had a pair of blocks each in the first few minutes.

In spite a rash of first-half turnovers that resulted in a fairly ugly stretch of basketball, the Huskies jumped out to a 42-22 lead. UConn shot 60 percent from the field in the opening period.

But, according to Montgomery, the effort was not there Wednesday night.

Continued...

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