DavidinNaples
11 is way better than 2..!! :)
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2013
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On a night when three UConn players played the full 40 minutes, the Huskies crushed Notre Dame on the scoreboard, 72-61, and in the statistics that never make it to the box score. The turnover battle was even, 16-15, and offensive rebounds were too, 11-13. Three point shots were a disaster with N.D. making 3 & UConn only 1. But, where the Huskies won the game was in four stats you can't find in the box score.
1. Size of the heart & power of will - Muffett blamed everything and everyone for the defeat but missed mentioning the heart and will power of Gabby, Lou, Pheesa and Kia..!! Losing was NOT an option, despite 40 minutes for three of them and 29 for Collier. Dead tired but refusing to slow down or give up.
2. Free throws when you're tired - Yes, they track free throws, but not when you're dead dog tired and someone just karate chopped you in the throat. UConn went 19-20 from the charity stripe (95%), but more importantly, made 7 of 8 in the last 1:57 of the game. Absolutely clutch..!!
3. Shutdown defense - Last season, Mabrey the Bad, went off for 20 points in the 1st half in Storrs. Tonight, she was 0-7 until making her only basket with 11 seconds left in the game. The leading scorer for N.D., Ogunbowale, was held to 4-14 shooting, 0-3 from three range. Her 9 points were a season low. Shutdown defense..!!
4. Playing hard with fouls - Collier sat for 11 minutes in the 1st half with 2 fouls. Notre Dame closed a 7 pt lead to even. She came back in the 2nd half and played 20 minutes, but committed only 1 foul. In fact, UConn had only 6 fouls total in the 2nd half. The Irish had 12. Playing hard without fouling...lesson learned..!!
The Huskies won the 2nd half by a score of 38-27. But, it was heart, will power and playing hard and smart despite fatigue, that brought home the victory. Geno was happy and proud, for good reason..!!
Go Huskies..!!
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