UConn Remains Undefeated After Two Close Victories

No. 1 UConn concluded 2018 with two exciting wins over Oklahoma and No. 14 California.

Versus Oklahoma
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/video?gameId=401090535

NORMAN, Okla.- UConn overcame a huge obstacle in its 72-63 victory over upset-minded Oklahoma on December 19.

The Huskies had a good start as they led the Sooners 6-0 in the first two minutes of the game. However, Oklahoma went on a 10-0 run to take a 10-8 led over UConn. Katie Lou Samuelson scored a layup late in the first quarter to tie the game at 16-16. She was fouled by Taylor Robertson in the process resulting in her shooting a free throw to bring the Huskies back in the lead, 17-16. Oklahoma’s Shaina Pellington scored a layup at the 1:40 mark to bring the Sooners to a one-point lead, 18-17. Oklahoma took the 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Sooners led throughout the game until the 3:36 mark in the fourth quarter. Napheesa Collier scored a layup to bring the Huskies back in the lead, 63-62. UConn held Oklahoma scoreless in the final minute of the game and won its 10^th consecutive game of the season.

Collier had an amazing game as she finished with 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Samuelson had 20 points, Christyn Williams with 14 points and Crystal Dangerfield with 11 points. UConn improved to 10-0 on the season.

Oklahoma made a huge effort in the game but fell short. The Sooners dropped to 3-7 overall on the season. Taylor Robertson led the team with 23 points. Pellington finished with 16 points and Madi Williams finished with 12 points. 

Game Stat Leaders:

UConn

Points: Napheesa Collier (23)

Rebounds: Napheesa Collier (17)

Assists: Napheesa Collier (4)

Steals: Katie Lou Samuelson (4)

Blocks: Napheesa Collier (2)

Oklahoma

Points: Taylor Robertson (23)

Rebounds: Madi Williams (11)

Assists: Tatum Veitenheimer (3)

Steals: Tatum Veitenheimer (3)

Blocks: Madi Williams (2)

Player Achievements

UConn

•         Collier set a new career-high with 17 rebounds.

Versus California
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/video?gameId=401090552

BERKLEY, Calif.- UConn finished 2018 undefeated after a nail-biting 76-66 over California on December 22.

Recee Caldwell’s two consecutive three-pointers gave the Golden Bears a 6-2 start in the first two minutes of the game. UConn’s Christyn Williams tied the game at 6-6 at the 8:02 mark of the first quarter. Megan Walker drained a three-pointer to give the Huskies their first lead of the game, 9-6. Asha Thomas scored a three-pointer on the other end to make it a 9-9 tie.  She later scored two more three-pointers to bring the Golden Bears back to a 15-9 lead. UConn’s Katie Lou Samuelson drained a three-pointer with four minutes to cut the score to a one-point deficit, 15-14. Williams scored another triple with 1:24 to in the first quarter to bring UConn back in the lead, 19-17. The Huskies would take a 23-20 lead at the end of the quarter.

Despite California’s effort to make a comeback, UConn managed to hold on to the lead for the next 30 minutes of the game. The Huskies claimed their 11^th win of the season to finished 2018 play.

Samuelson led UConn with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The four other starts also finished the game in double-figures. Napheesa Collier finished with 16 points, Crystal Dangerfield with 15 points, Williams with 13 points and Walker with 12 points.

California dropped to 9-1 on the season. Thomas led the Golden Bears with 22 points. Kristine Anigwe and Kianna Smith combined for 20 points. Anigwe also grabbed 14 rebounds to achieve her 10^th double-double of the season and 1,000^th career rebound. Caldwell finished the game with 11 points.

UConn

Points: Katie Lou Samuelson (20)

Rebounds: Katie Lou Samuelson (11)

Assists: Napheesa Collier (4), Crystal Dangerfield (4)

Steals: Napheesa Collier (2)

Blocks: Napheesa Collier (1)

California

Points: Asha Thomas (22)

Rebounds: Kristine Anigwe (14)

Assists: Recee Caldwell (4)

Steals: Kristine Anigwe (1)

Blocks: Kristine Anigwe (2)

Player Achievements

California

•         Anigwe recorded her 10^th double-double of the season.
•         Anigwe also garnered her 1,000 rebound of her career.

Up Next

•         UConn will play at Baylor on Thursday at 9 p.m.
•         The Huskies will begin American Athletic Conference play at Houston on Sunday at 12 p.m.
•        Oklahoma won its final non-conference game of the season against SMU 77-61.
•     Player of the Game: Shaina Pellington (21 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts, 2 stls)
•         The Sooners won their first Big 12 game against Texas Tech 66-61 on Wednesday.
•        Player of the Game: Taylor Robertson (17 pts, 7 rebs, 2 stls)
•         Oklahoma will play at Kansas State on Saturday at 8 p.m.
•         California was upset by Harvard 85-79 on Sunday.
•  Player of the Game: McKenzie Forbes (22 pts, 2 rebs)
•       The Golden Bears began Pac-12 play against UCLA on Friday at 10 p.m. and USC on Sunday at 6 p.m.