Top-ranked UConn beats No. 13 Georgetown 84-62 to extend winning streak to 68 games

UConn wins No. 68, stops No. 13 Georgetown 84-62

HARTFORD, Conn. — Tina Charles turned Connecticut’s senior day celebration into a personal showcase, leading UConn to its 68th consecutive win and the Big East regular-season conference title.

UConn’s senior center scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as UConn (29-0, 15-0) beat No. 13 Georgetown 84-62 on Saturday.

The Huskies can tie their own record for the longest winning streak in women’s Division I basketball with wins Monday at No. 7 Notre Dame and next Sunday in the conference tournament.

“Coach always says we’re playing to make history,” Charles said. “But in the back of our minds, we know what our goals are, and that’s to win every championship that’s thrown our way.”

This is UConn’s 18th regular-season title and fourth straight.

Charles hit 14 of her 16 shots in her final regular-season home game and was just a point shy of her career high. She also blocked three shots.

Kalana Greene added 13 points and Tiffany Hayes had 11 for UConn, which has won every game in its streak by double digits. The Huskies are 21-0 against ranked teams during the streak and have won those games by an average margin of nearly 26 points.

Freshman Sugar Rodgers and Monica McNutt each scored 13 for the Hoyas (24-5, 12-3), who led the Huskies for almost 10 minutes in the first half.

“They can score quickly in transition,” Georgetown coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. “Next thing you know, you’re down by six, next thing you know they go and score three offensive possessions and then you’re down too far.”

Charles moved into third place on the school’s career scoring list with 2,166 points. She needs 13 points and just five rebounds on Monday night to take the top spot in both categories.

“It would definitely be great after I leave and look back on my career at UConn,” Charles said. “But, right now, I’m just doing whatever it takes for us to win.”

Charles and Greene were joined in UConn’s starting lineup by fellow seniors Kaili McLaren, Meghan Gardler and Jacquie Fernandes, who were all playing their final home game.

Georgetown took advantage, hitting three shots from behind the arc to take a 9-4 lead.

The Hoyas stretched it to 15-9, the largest lead any opponent has had on the Huskies this season.

But a 3-pointer from Caroline Doty midway through the half gave UConn a 25-22 lead, and the Huskies did not trail again.

Charles took over from there. She had 19 points and 11 rebounds at the half. Maya Moore’s layup just before the halftime buzzer gave the Huskies a 45-35 lead.

Moore, who had 38 points and 20 rebounds against Syracuse on Wednesday, finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

UConn went on a 13-4 run early in the second half. Hayes made a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to give the Huskies a 58-43 lead.

Charles’ layup a short time later made it 68-48.

UConn’s senior class has compiled a mark of 136-6 in four years, including four straight regular-season conference titles.

“This was one of our goals,” Greene said. “Every year that is the first goal, you go out there and win the Big East regular season and put yourself in a good position to win the Big East tournament.”