Top 25 Capsules
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - 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.
No. 7 OHIO STATE 94, No. 5 MARYLAND 86
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Kelsey Mitchell scored 33 points as Ohio State beat Maryland.
Ohio State never trailed en route to sweeping the regular season series against the Terrapins (21-3, 10-2), who did not lose a game to a Big Ten opponent last season and won the conference regular season and tournament titles in their first year as members.
The Buckeyes (19-4, 11-1) took sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
Ameryst Alston scored 22 points for Ohio State while Alexa Hart added 17 and Shayla Cooper had 11.
Mitchell and Alston made four 3-pointers apiece, part of a sizzling night for the Buckeyes from beyond the arc. Ohio State made 12 of 23 from behind the arc.
Brionna Jones led Maryland with 28 points while Tierney Pfirman had 16, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 14 and Kristen Confroy had 13.