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GO UCONN!!!!!
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Well, I found out how long I can hold my breath. A full quarter of basketball.
WOW!! What a great game! UConn came back from a 9 point halftime deficit to beat DePaul 80-78 on a Carolina Ducharme basket with 1.6 seconds left on the clock.
I'm so proud of this team and it's going to be difficult to put it all into word in this blog at this late hour.
So, how great was it to see Williams back? She was so strong in this game. I was surprised to see her in the starting lineup, but that is exactly where she belongs. She scored 17 points on mostly hard drives to the basket. Exactly what Geno wants from her. And in "limited" minutes. 32....lol.
And speaking of surprises, did anyone expect not only would Fudd warm up before the game, then come into the game for a few minutes, and then come back into the game and be part of the regular rotation? Doubtful there is one person. I predicted she would be back in a week, probably before the Tennessee game. You think Geno had an idea she was ready and didn't want to let Doug Bruno know? 15 points. 3-6 on threes. And she played 22 minutes. I'm speechless. The threes were great, but when I saw her drive into the lane and pull up on a dime for a quick jumper, well, that is what I was waiting to see. She did that at will in high school. It's basically undefensible.
Ok, that is almost everyone back. Aubrey sadly won't be back. So now we only have one left and I don't have to tell you who that is. So, I watched Paige on the sidelines very carefully and I was really encouraged by what I saw. I thought she was a little stiff legged but then I took a closer look and I believe it's the brace that makes her that way. Once the brace is off you will see her look ready to go. Now, I won't predict when, but the Mid-February date looks good to me.
Thank goodness for Caroline Ducharme. She came on on the second half and led the Huskies to victory over a really good DePaul team. She hit a huge three pointer with 2 minutes left in the game and UConn down 2 points, and then of course was the game winner. She again led UConn in scoring with 19 points. She has a new name thanks to my friend Chappie.
Carolina Freakin' Ducharme. I love it.
Dorke Juhasz played tough in this game. In 22 minutes she had 8 points and 12 important rebounds. She is a big cog in this UConn wheel.
Thanks to the refs, who called 19 fouls on UConn to 10 on DePaul, Olivia Nelson-Ododa was not able to play as well as she had in the previous games. She fouled out but Dorka had 4 and Ducharme had 4.
File them under disappointment but Westbrook and Edwards contributed little in this game. Not much more to say about them.
Ok, one more comment. How good is that DePaul freshman Aneesah Morrow? As Geno would say, really really really good. Yes, three reallys. Only 6'1", she can just dominate the game in the post. An incredibly quick leaper, you wish UConn had someone like that on the team. Well, wait a season and take a look at the Ayanna Patterson video in the recuiting section. Those two will have battles for three seasons.
However, the refs were a little helpful for the young lady. She went the line 9 times. UConn went 8 times. Yeah...some home court advantage in this one.
I'm really looking forward to the rematch. February 11th. Will there be a Paige sighting by then???
Game Highlights
Geno Post Game Presser
Full Game Replay
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Ayanna Patterson: 23 points (11-15 FG, 1-4 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Patterson hit four jumpers in this game including a step-back and an almost three but for a toe on the line.
Kamera Arnold
27 points (8-19 FG, 2-3 3-PT, 9-10 FT), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, fouled out**************************************************
GAMES
MOST SCORES HAVE CLICKABLE LINKS TO A GAME STORY
UPSETS IN RED
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Straight from the Dog
That was a smile that could light up Broadway!! Azzi Fuud made her first appearance since November 22nd against South Carolina. Now, she was only in for a couple of minutes, and had a steal and a turnover. But when she came out...boy was she ever happy. As are thousands of UConn fans. Now add to that her ability to play 22 minutes and score 15 points?
Welcome back Azzi!!
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It was good to see No. 19 Oregon win again. They beat Utah 70-66. The Utes are not a bad team but it was surprising how close it was. There were a few stats that just stood out to me.
PaoPao killed UConn with 22 points and going 4-9 on threes. In this game she was 0-5 on threes. And Oregon was 5-23 on threes compared to 9-24 against UConn.
Sabally had 15 points. Right around her average. But the 6'5" forward had ZERO rebounds.
Prince only played 8 minutes. I haven't seen and reporting on her status. Hopefully she is not injured.
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By David in Naples
Great win over DePaul 80-78. Stats are good, bad and ugly...
The Good:
1. The return of Azzi, scoring 15 points.
2. Ducharme, clutch basket for the win, 19 points.
3. UConn 40% from three, 8-20.
4. Holding DePaul to 6-21 from three.
The Bad:
1. 20 turnovers.
2. 19 personal fouls, Liv fouling out.
3. Giving up 30 pts to Morrow
4. Edwards 8 minutes, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 0 pts.
The Ugly:
1. The officiating.
Go Huskies..!
The Good:
1. The return of Azzi, scoring 15 points.
2. Ducharme, clutch basket for the win, 19 points.
3. UConn 40% from three, 8-20.
4. Holding DePaul to 6-21 from three.
The Bad:
1. 20 turnovers.
2. 19 personal fouls, Liv fouling out.
3. Giving up 30 pts to Morrow
4. Edwards 8 minutes, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 0 pts.
The Ugly:
1. The officiating.
Go Huskies..!
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UCONN LINKS
Several links are pay sites. Sorry!
Ducharme Hoop Lifts UConn Journal Inquirer
UConn wins thriller over DePaul 80-78 UConn Blog
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in the quick interview right after the game Geno gave props as good as I have ever seen: Last play coach? Geno: you give the ball to the player you can trust. Biggest damn compliment, and a freshman! He drew up that play for her and she delivered the game winner. Great write up as always DD. Thanks so much!
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