STORRS, Conn. - Defending NCAA Division I champion and Associated Press preseason No. 1 University of Connecticut opened its exhibition schedule with a 101-35 victory against NCAA Division II second-ranked Gannon University Friday night at Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies assumed control by out-scoring the Lady Knights 19-0 during the final 7:52 of the first half en route to a 55-10 halftime lead.
Gannon had shown the ability to play with NCAA Division I teams in past exhibition seasons, but hasn't played a nationally-ranked Division I program since falling November 5, 2008 at Notre Dame. The Lady Knights swept exhibition games against Kent State (70-61) and the University of Buffalo (63-53) last season. The program had previously played the University of Dayton (L 101-60) and Penn State (L 91-58) during the 2010-11 preseason.
Meanwhile, UConn improved to 10-0 against NCAA Division II competition over the last six preseasons. The Huskies have won by an average of 57.3 points during those contests.
Trailing 6-0, Gannon scored its first points of the season on a
Brittany Batts' (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun County) jumper 1:20 into the contest.
Nettie Blake (Jersey City, N.J./Marist) followed with a lay-up at the 17:56 mark to pull within 8-4.
The UConn defense went to work after that. The Huskies scored 21 consecutive points during the next seven minutes and 23 seconds to assume firm control with a 29-4 lead.
Kelley Sundberg (Mansfield, Conn./E.O. Smith), who grew up in the shadows of the UConn campus, hit a three-pointer to momentarily stem the blitz. Batts added another triple almost three minutes later as the Huskies' lead stood at 36-10.
The home squad put the game away with the final 19 points of the half during the last 7:52 to assume a 55-10 advantage at the intermission. Gannon was unable to slow down the UConn offensive threats as the Huskies shot 53.8 percent (21-39) from the floor, drew 12 fouls and went 10-of-14 from the free throw line during the first 20 minutes.
Gannon regained its footing a bit during the second half, being out-scored 46-25.
Jen Papich (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel), who played only three minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, scored all 10 of her points during the second half to finish as the team's leading scorer. The senior forward netted the Lady Knights' first eight points after the break with a pair of three-pointers and a jumper.
Sebald and Batts added three-point bombs down the stretch. Two Papich free throws with 1:45 remaining capped the Gannon scoring, before UConn added another basket eight seconds later to account for the final 101-35 score.
Eight different Lady Knights dented the scoring column. Batts posted eight points, aided by a couple three-pointers. Sundberg added five points and two assists during her homecoming.
Mollie Sebald (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Holy Name) and
Doriyon Glass (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) chipped in three points each.
Gannon shot 26.1 percent (12-46) from the field, 26.1 percent (6-23) from three-point range and 35.7 percent (5-14) from the free throw line.
UConn placed five players in double digits, led by Breanna Stewart's double-double figures of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Kaleena Lewis-Mosqueda followed with 20 points. Moriah Jefferson produced 13 markers.
The Huskies shot 54.5 percent (36-66) from the floor, 23.5 percent (4-17) from behind the arc and 75.8 percent (25-33) from the charity stripe. UConn produced large advantages in free throws made (25-5) and rebounds (50-22).
Gannon opens the 2013-14 regular season Wednesday, November 13 against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Walsh at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Annual Maroon-Gold scrimmage is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 at the 'Mill with a 7 p.m. start time. Admission is free and open to the public.
