UConn runs win streak with 85-53 rout

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Tina Charles matched her season high with 26 points and Maya Moore added 21 as top-ranked Connecticut ran its winning streak to 66 games with a 85-53 rout of Providence on Saturday.

Kalana Greene chipped in 11 points for UConn (27-0, 13-0 Big East), which needs just four more victories to tie its own record for the longest winning streak in the history of Division I women's basketball.

Chelsea Marandola had 12 points to lead Providence (15-11, 6-7), which was coming off consecutive wins over Marquette and Cincinnati and had won three of its last four.

The Huskies have won 55 straight at home, where they are beating teams by an average of over 31 points. UConn hasn't lost a conference game on its home court in four years, and has beaten 237 straight unranked opponents at home.

Connecticut actually trailed 3-2 early, the third consecutive game the Huskies have found themselves behind. But that didn't last long. UConn used a 9-2 run to turn a 5-5 tie into a 14-7 lead, and a 15-2 run a short time later made it 32-13. Moore had 11 of the Huskies' first 17 points and 15 at halftime, when they led 45-25.

Charles had 14 points at the break. She needs just four more points to pass Rebecca Lobo and move into fifth place on the school's all-time scoring list.

UConn scored the first eight points of the second half, and the rout was on. UConn coach Geno Auriemma pulled Charles and Moore midway through the half with UConn up 69-34.

This was the fifth time this season the Huskies have had two players score 20 points — four of those times it has been Moore and Charles.

The Huskies' average margin of victory during their win streak is just over 33 points, but this blowout followed relatively close wins against No. 22 St. Johns (14 points), and No. 11 Oklahoma (16). Every victory during the streak has been by double digits.

UConn held Providence to 31 percent shooting and outrebounded the Friars 41-34, Charles pulling down nine of them.

The Huskies have won 25 straight against the Friars.

UConn can clinch the Big East regular season title by winning two of its final three. The Huskies have games left against Syracuse, No. 14 Georgetown and No. 4 Notre Dame.