Doggy's UConn/Duquesne Post Game Report

Game Replay!! 

Game Analysis

UConn played a total game against Duquesne in a game that was a terrific tribute to senior Kia Nurse.

Defensively they were outstanding, holding the Dukes to 25% shooting in the first half and 30% for the game and holding them to 30% on threes. Duquesne was shooting 40% on the season.

Offensively, UConn played a great game. From the first basket to the end of the game, they ran their offense well. They shot 58% from the field and 52% on threes. UConn, as usual,  had a high percentage of assists to baskets with 25 dimes on 40 hoops. 

The Huskies made it look easy against a pretty good Dukes team. With the top six players healthy, UConn is just too good for teams to handle. They will still get better.          

Game Highlights

Game Stats and Box Score

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Coach Geno Auriemma Post Game Interview

Game Quotes from

Duquesne Coach Dan Burt

"We lost to the best program in the history of basketball - regardless of gender or league. On offense, they are work of art in transition. They switch everything on D and their length and quickness doesn't allow you any margin of error."
"What do we get out of a game like this? Our women get to see the intensity, discipline and effort that you must play with every moment to beat what is the greatest basketball program of all time. For us, I would schedule this game every year if possible. If we are going to make a jump to being a consistent top 40 program, we just play the very best,". 

Player Evaluations

UConn Player Post Game Interviews

Kia Nurse

It certainly was a special night for Kia Nurse, playing in front of her family and friends. She has really taken the next step in her growth as a basketball player. 

And she showed it all in this game. She was emotional but totally under control. 

In her 33 minutes on the court, Kia was very efficient. She was 9-11 from the field and 4-6 on threes. Her three point shooting percentage of 55.8 is leading the country. Kia added 5 rebounds and 2 assists to her 24 points. She was a true joy to watch. 

''To come here and be surrounded by so much love and so much appreciation by the best country in the world and sing my national anthem before a game was the best part,''.  I put my heart and soul into that one.''

''My grandparents got to see me for the first time in a Connecticut jersey. That's something that's really special. I'm excited to go hug them.''

Kati Lou Samuelson 

Katie Lou Samuelson was just amazing in this game. Looks like she is all the way back from the multiple foot injuries. She had a season-high 33 points in her 30 minutes. She made 8 of 9 3-point attempts, including seven straight in the second and third quarters. She sat the last quarter. Katie Lou added 6 rebounds and 4 assists to her game stats, showing once more that she is more than just a shooter. 

''My teammates were getting me the ball as much as they could,'' Samuelson said. ''My shot felt really good so I just kept shooting.''

Crystal Dangerfield

A quiet game for Crystal, but she did make her presence felt with 6 assists some of which were just spectacular. With Samuelson and Nurse doing so much scoring, she only took 6 shots. In her 29 minutes she had 4 points and 2 rebounds. A steady game for Crystal. 

Napheesa Collier

Collier had another solid performance on both sides of the ball. I love how she blocks the shot (see above) with her left hand. It's always the hand closer to the shooter. In her 29 minutes she had 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Just her presence in the block opens up outside opportunities for her teammates.  

 Gabby Williams

Williams once against stuffed the box scores with some great play on both sides of the ball. She physically dominates her opponent. In her 31 minutes Gabby scored 12 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, handed out 6 assists and pilfered 4 passes for steals.    

''Two games where we got to have a lot of fun and forget about a lot of stuff and just enjoy the moment. It's good to go home on that note.''

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Azura Stevens 

Well, you can't have a big game every time out...lol. No, Stevens did not dominate this game as she had recently. But Geno only played her 15 minutes. She did have 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in her limited time on the court. That being said, when I watch her play, I sometimes forget that she is 6'6" tall.    

The Rest

It was a pretty good game for the bench. The usual fans on the message boards that complain about how UConn is outscored in the fourth quarter had nothing to complain about. Megan Walker sat this one out, clearly not 100% from her bout with the flu.

Kyla Irwin got a few minutes with the starters and really looked good in this game. She got a solid 10 minutes and was 3-5 from the field for 6 points, and added 3 rebounds, all offensive. I think we will see her playing plenty once the conference season starts against the weaker teams.

 Final Thoughts

This is the third consecutive game that I thought the team played really well. Yes, there was that 13-3 run by Oklahoma, but outside of that, UConn is starting to play the way we all thought they would when the season started.

Now we get a nice break, both the team and me. I'll still write when the mood strikes, but my next full daily will probably be on Thursday's games. Until then.....GO HUSKIES!!!!