COLUMBIA, S.C. – Breanna Stewart had 25 points and 10 rebounds as No. 1 UConn again proved who rules the women’s game, running past No. 2 South Carolina 66-54 on Monday night.
The Gamecocks had won their first 22 games and, in front of their first sold out crowd at 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena, figured to give the three-time defending NCAA champion Huskies (23-0) their sternest test of the season.
Instead, Stewart and UConn led by 15 points in the second quarter and never let the Southeastern Conference champs get back in it.
Stewart was the main reason why, finishing with her ninth double-double this season to go with five blocks. The 6-foot-4 senior also played strong defense against South Carolina’s inside stars in A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates. The Gamecocks duo, averaging 28 points combined this season, ended with just about half that (15) in their first loss of the season.
UConn won its 60th straight game while ending South Carolina’s 45-game home victory string – handing the Gamecocks their first loss here since falling to Texas A&M 50-48 on Feb. 10, 2013.