UConn women’s basketball guard Moriah Jefferson dribbles toward the basket during the Huskies’ exhibition game against Vanguard at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. Jefferson finished the game with 20 points, 4 assists and 6 steals. (Ashley Maher/The Daily Campus)
The No. 1 UConn Huskies (1-0) appeared to be in midseason form as they opened their season with a dominating 100-56 victory over No. 7 Ohio State (0-2) on Monday.
UConn senior forward Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 24 points while also recording nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
In addition to Stewart’s performance, the rest of the Huskies’ starting lineup combined for a total of 86 points. UConn shot 57 percent from the field as a team in the game.
UConn senior guard Moriah Jefferson had 21 points while shooting 10-for-15 from the field and dishing four assists.
Shayla Cooper was the leading scorer for Ohio State with 17 points.
The Huskies wasted no time taking control of the game on the road. In the first quarter UConn opened the game on a 7-0 run with five of those points coming from sophomore guard Kia Nurse alone. Ohio State called a timeout just one minute and 49 seconds into the game in order to regroup.
Ohio State was able to respond with a 7-0 run of their own in the first quarter as they trailed 14-13. Cooper had nine early points to help Ohio State hang around in the quarter.
UConn finished the first quarter strong however as back to back layups from Jefferson to finish the quarter gave the Huskies a 24-15 lead after the first ten minutes of play.
In the second quarter UConn was able to gain separation from Ohio State for good. After starting the game 0-for-6 from three-point range, the Huskies found the range from distance. Morgan Tuck hit the first three pointer to put UConn up 36-18 with 6:13 to go. Back to back three pointers from Jefferson and Nurse gave UConn a 49-20 lead moments later.
UConn went into the break leading 50-24. In the second half it was more of the same domination from the Huskies. UConn outscored Ohio State 50 to 32 in the second half as they cruised to victory.
Besides Cooper, Ohio State struggled from the field the entire night. Ohio State was held to just 33 percent shooting from the field.
Ohio State starting guards Kelsey Mitchell and Ameryst Alston combined for 15 points on 5 of 27 shooting from the field.
UConn will return home for their home opener against Kansas State on Monday Nov. 23.
Spencer Mayfield is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at spencer.mayfield@uconn.edu. He tweets @SpenceMayfield.
