Couldn't get ESPN radio on the radio or computer, gave up & signed up for ESPN+ trial. As a result only able to see the last 9 or so minutes of the 1st Q when I finally tuned in, so I missed some hot shooting. Seems to have continued -- 3pt percentage at 52.6 was higher than the 2pt percentage at 50. ESPN+ gave me clear streaming & sound (a little muted, but fortunately I use speakers with their own power source. The refs were not good to UConn, multiple whistles for traveling, didn't award any FTs until pretty far into the 2nd half -- total 4.
With their leader out with injury and heavy reliance on bench players, the rest of the team played above their heads based on previous games. Good work!
And then Anna got injured in the first half. After scoring 2 3s in Q1 and making at least one very good pass, she appears to have sprained an ankle in Q2 and had to leave the game for a check up. She returned at the beginning of the 2nd half, but briefly, and had to sit down.
Meg scored highest, 23 pt, 9 more than Christyn and ONO who had 14 each. Volume shooting, though. Airballs, missed layups, jumpers bounced off the basket, 9-17 FT. But 4-6 3pt was very efficient.
ONO was devastating Dayton with her defense. 7 blocks, 3 Asst, 2 Steals, 8 reb -- and only one TO. She scored a lot better than Ohio State, but Dayton wasn't as physical, but even so her shooting was inefficient at 7-17. But she seemed to be everywhere disrupting the Dayton offense. I don't think radio could do justice to what she was doing, if you weren't able to watch.
Kyla's shooting consistency continues to be remarkable. 3-4 FT & 2-3 3PT. Not a volume shooter but very efficient. She had 6 assts, higher than anyone else on the team, & 6 rebs. compare to ONO's 8.
Christyn also relied on volume shooting, but her layups & the preceding penetration seemed to be more successful than Meg's. Good that she did some of her best work in Q4. One of UConn's most reliable FT shooters.
Nice to see Molly Bent running point, though coach hasn't seemed to be too enthusiastic for subbing her in for CD. Made some unfortunate passes, and avoided what seemed to be a clear path when she was ahead in transition and passed instead, but she got over her nerves and made at least one layup, also in transition. Knowing the team was without CD she knew she had to score, and she came through.
Finally started paying attention to Aubrey Griffin, and she showed potential, going strong to the basket and getting the ball through the hole this time.
Hoping Anna's injury isn't too serious. Hurts that she started out the game so well.
Could have been worse overall, and the Huskies won comfortably, 75-37. Unlike Temple's or Virginia's unexpected 3 pt prowess, Dayton couldn't keep it close, but UConn defense should get some credit.
