No. 2 UConn routs SMU 87-28
DALLAS (AP) - Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis didn't take long to break Diana Taurasi's UConn career record for 3-pointers on Sunday.
Mosqueda-Lewis hit the record-breaking shot from the top of the 3-point circle just 3:18 into the game. That started a 21-0 run, and the second-ranked Huskies beat SMU 86-29.
The lead grew to as many as 65 points at 74-9 when UConn scored the first 27 points of the second half. Kiara Perry made a 3-pointer with 7:41 to play to break the Mustangs' scoring drought.
"It was like there was a lid on the basket," SMU coach Rhonda Rompola said.
Mosqueda-Lewis scored eight points in 21 minutes and added one more 3-pointer for a career total of 320 in 118 games. Taurasi made 318 in 144 games at UConn.
"It felt good to have it be final now and break the record," Mosqueda Lewis said. "I haven't been worried about it. Everybody else has. I've just been playing, so it's nice to not have everybody worrying about it anymore."
She had made just 3 of 13 in her previous three games.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma wouldn't say that approaching the record had affected Mosqueda-Lewis' play.
"It's just been pretty consistent the last three, four games that she's not been where she needs to be. I didn't ask her about it; she didn't say anything about it."
Breanna Stewart had 19 points and Gabby Williams added 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Huskies (14-1, 4-0 American Athletic Conference), who led 47-9 at halftime.
UConn has won 13 straight while SMU (4-11, 0-4) has dropped eight consecutive contests.
Rompola said, "Even though they're number two, there's no question they are the best team in the country. They may have that one loss, which has made them better.
"There is no team in men's basketball that compares to the Connecticut women. Maybe the San Antonio Spurs."
Moriah Jefferson and Kia Nurse had 11 points each for the Huskies.
Morgan Bolton scored nine points to lead the Mustangs' record-low-scoring game. They had 30 at Texas Feb. 18, 1978, in the second year of the program.
UConn led 3-2 before Mosqueda-Lewis' first basket started the 21-0 run. The Huskies made only 3 of their first 11 field goal attempts, but finished the half 19 for 34 (56 percent). SMU was 4 for 31 (13 percent), and missed all eight 3-point shots.
Perry's first 3-pointer started a 9-2 run by the Mustangs. Bolton hit two 3-pointers, and Perry added five more points to complete a 17-4 run.
No UConn starter played more than 25 minutes. Williams and Saniya Chong each played 21 off the bench.
TIP-INS
UConn: The nine points allowed in the first half were the lowest total the Huskies have given up this season. . They allowed a low of 24 by College of Charleston on Nov. 28, and had scored 102 points in the opener at UC-Davis. ... UConn won by 68 points, 105-37, over Idaho on March 23, 2013. ... Jefferson, playing in her home state, had 10 assists and no turnovers.
SMU: The Mustangs played without Destynee Hives-McCray, their second-leading scorer, who was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. In her place, Raven Short started for the first time since Nov. 16. ... SMU finished the game 10 for 62 (16 percent) from the floor, and 5 for 25 (20 percent) on 3-pointers.
MAKING HISTORY
To set her record, Mosqueda-Lewis passed UConn All-Americans such as Taurasi and Maya Moore. "I'm thankful. It's an honor to be able to be up there up among greats like Diana and Maya, and be at the top of that list now."
HOME, SWEET HOME
The Huskies will be on campus this week before classes resume Jan. 19. They'll even be playing two games on campus at Gampel Pavilion, where they last played Nov. 23. "If they're tired, they're tired of the travel," Auriemma said.
UP NEXT
UConn: Huskies host Temple Wednesday.
SMU: Mustangs visit South Florida Wednesday.