SCOUTING THE HUSKIES UConn enters Saturday’s contest with a 19-0 record and is currently on a 94-game winning streak. The Huskies are ranked No. 1 in each of the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Most recently, UConn defeated East Carolina 91-44 on Tuesday.
As a team this season, the Huskies average 85.3 points per game while holding their opponents to just 54.6. Offensively, the Huskies shoot 51.9 percent from the field, including 42.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line. UConn holds opponents to just 35.2 percent from the field, and an American Athletic Conference best 25.7 percent from deep.
Katie Lou Samuelson leads the team in points per game with 21.8, while three other Huskies average double-figures. Napheesa Collier scores 19.2 points per contest, while Kia Nurse contributes 13.2 and Gabby Williams adds 12.3 points per game. Williams and Collier have been a force on the glass for UConn, pulling down 8.6 and 8.1 rebounds per game respectively.
The Cougars have lost all four meetings with the Huskies. The first three losses were by 50, 51 and 59 points. The closest game was a 76-37 loss last season.
In that game, Houston was one of two teams - South Florida was the other - all season to lead Connecticut after the first quarter.
“You’ve got to celebrate small victories,” Hughey said.
TOP PERFORMERS Houston: Houston had a pair of scorers reach double figures including a team-high 14 from Jasmyne Harris. Jacqueline Blake added 13, scoring all of her points in the second half and 12 in the fourth quarter. Blake also led the team on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds.
UConn: The Huskies finished with four players in double-figures, including a pair that finished with double-doubles. Gabby Williams finished with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Napheesa Collier had 12 and 10. Katie Lou Samuelson and Kia Nurse each finished with 16 points.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS Houston has a short turnaround as they return home to face Tulane on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The contest will serve as the return match after the Cougars fell 82-56 to the Green Wave on Jan. 14.
