Connecticut crushes Carolina

CHAPEL HILL — In the showdown between the nation’s top two NCAA Division I women’s basketball team on Monday, top-ranked Connecticut proved too much for No. 2 North Carolina, outrunning, overpowering and outmanuvering the Heels on the way to a 88-58 victory at the Smith Center.

The Huskies, now unbeaten in 18 games this season, snapped the Tar Heels’ 17-game winning streak, sending some in the crowd to their cars early and disappointing others who had to tried to prop up their previously undefeated team against an overwhelming foe.

Opening a 24-point lead with 13 minutes to play in the second half, UConn was well on its way to an impressive win in a game  many had considered the marquee matchup of the regular-season. ESPN2 made it part of its “Big Monday” coverage.

A national television audience watched a UConn team control this game in every category, led by the smooth, heady play of senior guard Renee Montgomery, who in scoring a game-high 21 points directed the show for the best team in the land.

UConn’s Maya Moore, coming off a 40-point performance against Syracuse, added 19 points and  12 rebounds.

Unable to keep pace with the Huskies, suffering through a tough shooting night, the Heels were led by sophomore guard Italee Lucas’ 15 points. Senior Rashanda McCants, who made 5 of 15 shots from the field, finished with 13 points and six rebounds.

This was the first time the No. 1 and No. 2 teams met in the Triangle since the Heels lost 64-53 to Duke on Feb. 8, 2007.

The Heels had won three of the past five contest against Connecticut, capturing an 82-76 home-victory in 2007.

Monday’s loss follows an 82-71 UConn victory last season in Storr, Conn.

The Heels had won 31 straight in Chapel Hill, including their past 10 home games. Not since a 94-77 loss to Oklahoma on Jan. 21, 2001 had they fallen to a non-conference opponent at home.

It was apparent early on Monday how the Huskies would approach this game.

With their high-top sneakers tied tight, they were off and running from the opening tip, establishing a sense of dominance throughout the first half.

While the Heels would close Uconn’s biggest lead in the first half – 18 points with eight minutes to play – the Huskies were never really slowed, helped in part by the accurate shooting of Montgomery. Knocking down three 3-point attempts, she scored 14 points in the first half, playing with the experience that 127 career starts suggested she might.

But it was UConn’s aggressiveness on the boards that seperated them from the Heels in first half. They outrebounded the Heels 30-15, snagging missed shots and starting their transition offense.

Out running the floor, the Huskies exploded down court, finishing on the break. When they were challenged with a full-court press, they beat it with a quickness not many teams have shown against the Heels this season.

The Heels, shooting 38.2 percent from the field in the first half, could not collect offensive rebounds, launching long-range and mid-range jumpers without coming close to fighting off a UConn player in the paint.

UConn’s 2-3 defensive zone forced the Heels into bad shot selections and awkward passes, further frustrating a team that found itself down 46-30 at halftime.