STORRS — In UConn’s loss to Michigan three days ago, UConn star Sarah Strong made a strong statement about her team.
“We just didn’t play UConn basketball at all,” Strong said.
Playing another Top 10 opponent on Sunday afternoon, everyone waited to see if the Huskies could get back to playing their brand of basketball.
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They responded in a big way.
UConn bounced back, beating Iowa 91-79 at home behind Strong’s career-high 39 points, 26 of which came in the first half.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Sunday’s win:
UConn vs Iowa highlights: UConn women’s basketball vs Iowa | Live updates
Strong response
Strong stayed out of foul trouble and was the aggressive playmaker that the Huskies needed her to be all night.
The Hawkeyes seemed uninterested in throwing double teams her way or trying to move her out of her favorite spots on the floor.
Strong routinely found herself in single coverage and made Iowa pay. She hit 5-of-10 of her shots from beyond the arc and attempted five free throws.
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Quiñonez bounce back
Since returning from shoulder surgery, UConn sophomore Blanca Quiñonez has, understandably, not looked herself.
But her season breakthrough came on Sunday afternoon. The Ecuadorian forward finished with 21 points, three rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
Her versatility on defense gave Iowa fits as she was a force on the perimeter and in the paint. Coach Geno Auriemma used her at both forward spots and she fit in well on the floor alongside Strong.
If this is the Quiñonez UConn will be getting the rest of the way, she will be pushing to be in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
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Much better defense
Everything Iowa got was tough.
The Huskies didn’t back off the pressure all night, picking up Iowa’s guards far above the arc.
Iowa was held to 37.5% from deep. The Hawkeyes turned the ball over 12 times leading to eight UConn points.
The Huskies locked up Iowa leading scorer Dani Carnegie, holding the New York native to 12 points on 6-of-15 shooting.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: UConn women’s basketball vs Iowa | Biggest takeaways from Huskies’ win
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
