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UConn rolls over the struggling Temple women’s basketball team

The Huskies beat the Owls, 88-67, to keep Temple winless in January.

Connecticut's Napheesa Collier shoots the ball as Temple's Shantay Taylor (right) watches.
Connecticut's Napheesa Collier shoots the ball as Temple's Shantay Taylor (right) watches.Read moreChris Szagola / AP

The visiting Connecticut Huskies used a double-double by Napheesa Collier Saturday and defeated the Temple women’s basketball team, 88-67.

Ranked No. 2 behind Notre Dame in the Associated Press poll, the 16-1 Huskies gave Temple more than it could handle all night, and the Owls remained winless in January. After this loss, the Owls fell to 0-5 in the American Athletic Conference and 4-13 overall. Collier ended with a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds.

“It’s been a long January for us,” said Temple coach Tonya Cardoza. “It’s been tough trying to find ways to get better and get wins. Coming into today we knew it was going to be tough playing against one of the best teams in the country. ... Tomorrow, we have to be different. The next day, we have to be different. In order for us to find ways to close out games and win games, we have to be different for 40 minutes."

The teams started off at the same pace. Then Owls freshman forward Alexa Williamson (11 points) crashed the boards and dropped a few jumpers to give Temple a 9-8 lead. But UConn went on a 14-2 run to end the quarter and assume control of the game. The Huskies were led in that run by freshman forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (7 points) and sophomore guard Megan Walker (11 points). The Owls were also hurt by four turnovers.

To start the second quarter, guards Marissa Mackins and Emani Mayo tried to add an offensive jolt to the Owls. But it didn’t work, and the Huskies connected on their three-pointers. UConn junior guard Crystal Dangerfield controlled much of the offensive game, and Temple’s Williamson and sophomore guard Desiree Oliver crashed the glass and dropped in a few buckets for the Owls.

At the half, the Huskies led, 42-25.

Late in the third quarter, Temple showed some fight and closed the deficit to 15 points on a layup by Mayo. But the best the Owls could do was trade baskets with the Huskies, and they trailed at the end of the quarter, 66-50.

The fourth quarter was much of the same. Dangerfield finished with 26 points and 4 rebounds, and Temple was led by Alliya Butts' 17 points and 15 from Oliver.