Today UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes was named the USBWA Women's National Player of the Week after helping UConn to a 2-0 week while averaging 34.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg, shooting 70 percent from the field. As the Big East Conference Player of the Week, Hayes was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week. For the week, she scored 68 points in back-to-back wins – the most ever in UConn's storied history – averaging 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds while shooting 70 percent from the field. In a 95-54 win over Syracuse last Monday, she scored a career-high 35 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. On Wednesday, she added 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 77-62 win over USF for the No. 3 Huskies (20-2). Hayes is currently Connecticut's leading scorer with a 16.1 average and is fifth in the Big East in scoring.

UConn Basketball: Greatness Is Not An Accident

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (20-2, 8-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 61, Duke 45
Player of the Game: RJr. G Caroline Doty (11p, 3r, 3a, 1b, 27m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. C Kiah Stokes (11dr, 1s, 5b, 28m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. C Kiah Stokes (4p, 12r, 2a, 1s, 5b, 28m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 24, Duke 14

Summary: It was not pretty by any means, but when it's a win on the road over a Top 5 opponent, a win is a frickin' win. Led by the dominating post defense of Fr. C Kiah Stokes and the rest of the Huskies, they once again held the Blue Devils to a sad final total and defeated Duke, 61-45. UConn All-American candidate So. G Bria Hartley had a quiet game (for her), but still managed to do a little bit of everything as she led the Huskies and finished with 15p/5r/7a/2s in 39mins. Jr. G Caroline Doty showed us she starting to round back into form as she went a perfect 3 for 3 from 3 and played some great defense especially for someone playing on basically only one leg. Stokes played the best game of her young career and mostly because she became a dominating force on the defensive end of the court where she held Duke's future All-American C Elizabeth Williams to 3-15 shooting and grabbed a career-high 12rebs. and had a career-high 5blks. while playing a career-high 28mins. off the bench (as starting C Stefanie Dolson was saddled in foul trouble all game).

UConn Senior G Tiffany Hayes was named the Big East Player of the Week for the 1st time in her career after helping UConn to a 2-0 week while averaging 34.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg, shooting 70 percent from the field. In a victory at Syracuse, she scored a career-high 35 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out three assists. She went 7-of-7 from the free throw line. In a win against USF, she had 33 points and 10 rebounds, connecting on 11-of-15 from the field. Last week was the first time Hayes scored at least 30 points in back-to-back games and the 68 points mark the most a UConn player has scored in back-to-back games in program history.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 5/5 Duke Blue Devils (17-2).

Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium (Durham, NC)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Internet: ESPN3
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GoDuke Live Stats

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (19-2, 8-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 77, South Florida 62
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (33p, 10p, 3a, 3s, 1b, 39m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. C Stefanie Dolson (11dr, 3b, 37m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (5p, 7r, 3a, 1b, 29m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounding: UConn 53, USF 28

Summary: And homegirl is on phi-ah (fire)!!! Once again, UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes light up court scoring 33pts. to go along with 10rebs. (for her 1st double-double on the season) as the Huskies fought off the hard-charging Bulls of South Florida, 77-62.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. South Florida Bulls (12-9, 4-3 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 1:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

Today UConn So. G Bria Hartley and Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis were both named to the 2011-12 John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 list. Hartley is currently the third leading scorer for Connecticut averaging 14.9ppg and is second on the team in assists with 4.1apg. Named the Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year, Mosqueda-Lewis, has been stellar thus far in her young career as she currently is the second leading scorer for the Huskies with 15ppg and leads the team with 52 made 3-pters. Mosqueda-Lewis, one of two freshman on the Top 20, has brought home six Big East Freshman of the Week accolades.

Today UConn commit Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, NY) was named the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. She becomes the 3rd Husky to win (Diana Taurasi '06, '10 & Tina Charles '09) and is now part of the impressive list of athletes (Leslie, Staley, Edwards, Miller, Holdsclaw, Augustus, etc.) who have won the award since it started in 1980. A member of the gold-medal winning 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team that competed July 21-31 in Puerto Montt, Chile, Stewart also played for the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team that competed Oct. 21-25 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“It is exciting because this is a pretty big award,” Stewart said. “I’m just honored to be thought of as USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year.”

“Breanna Stewart ranks up with Maya Moore as one of the most competitive young players that I've ever seen,” said Jennifer Rizzotti, 2011 USA U19 and University of Hartford head coach, and the 2011 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year. “She has the ability to tremendously impact the game on both ends of the floor. She works constantly to improve all aspects of her game, and I look forward to watching her growth as she develops into an even more complete player. Her desire to win and compete on every possession raised the level of intensity for our team and was crucial to our winning the gold medal.”

As the second youngest member of the 2011 USA U19 team, Stewart started in three of nine games and in just 19.9 minutes per contest, averaged team-highs of 11.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game to help the USA to an 8-1 record and gold medal at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship. Shooting 46.8 percent from the field (36-77 FGs), Stewart was named to the five-member All-FIBA U19 World Championship Team. In the USA women’s U19 record book, Stewart lists third for blocked shots (15) and fourth for rebounds (66). Among all participants in the 16-team field, she ranked second in blocked shots (1.7 bpg.), and 10th in rebounding (7.3 rpg.) and defensive rebounding (4.9 rpg.). As just the second U.S. high school girls basketball player to represent her country in Pan American Games history, Stewart was the only high school player on the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team, which included 11 collegiate athletes. Starting in all four games, Stewart led the team in scoring (15.3 ppg.), rebounding (11.3 rpg.), blocked shots (1.8 bpg.) and minutes played (27.8 mpg.) to help the USA to a 2-2 record and seventh-place finish. She shot 50.0 percent from the field (19-38 FGs) and 88.5 percent from the free throw line (23-26 FTs). Stewart compiled 18 points, four blocked shots and a U.S. Pan American Games record 21 rebounds in the USA’s opening game against Argentina. Stewart lists second in the U.S. Women’s Pan American Games Team record book for blocked shots (9), third for rebounds (45) and fourth in free throw percentage (.885). Among all participants in the 2011 Pan American Games eight-team field, Stewart ranked first in free-throw percentage (.885) and blocked shots (2.3 bpg.); second in rebounding (11.3 rpg.) and defensive rebounds (7.5 rpg.); third in field goal percentage (.500) and offensive boards (3.8 rpg.); and fifth in points (15.3 ppg.). As a junior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 2010-11, she led her team to a 22-3 record, the New York Section 3 and New York Class AA state titles. Starting in all 25 games, she averaged 24.3ppg, 11.5rpg, 3.0apg, 2.8spg and 4.2bpg. Thus far in 2011-12, she is averaging 24.2ppg has helped her team to a 12-2 record as of Jan. 26.

Additionally, USA Basketball will nominate Stewart for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 2011 SportsWoman of the Year, which will be announced in 2012. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball’s annual award winners.

“In her third consecutive summer playing for USA Basketball, Breanna was an important part of two USA teams,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. “Anyone who has seen her play knows what an incredible athlete she is, and how much fun it is to watch her play. She has shown dedication and commitment, and we are very proud to recognize her efforts.”

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (18-2, 7-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 95, Syracuse 54
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (35p, 7r, 3a, 1s, 31m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. C Kiah Stokes (6dr, 1s, 3b, 24m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (19p, 8r, 2a, 2s, 33m)
Stat of the Game: 3-Pt. Shooting: UConn 12-25, Syracuse 4-14

Summary: The only way to some it up was...homegirl was on phi-ah (fire)!!! UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes light up the Carrier Dome scoring a career-high 35pts. on a career-high six 3-pters. as the Huskies turned a 7-pt half-time lead into a 41-pt. blowout and easily defeating Syracuse, 95-54. Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis received her first career start (in place of injured Jr. G Caroline Doty) and finished with 19pts. and 8rebs. while UConn All-American candidate So. G Bria Hartley chipped in 18pts. and 7asts. for the 3rd-ranked Huskies. Fr. C Kiah Stokes had a solid game off the bench adding 8pts., 7rebs., and 3blks. in a career-high 24mins. Doty, who left the DePaul game after playing just 2 minutes because her troublesome left knee swelled, did not play against Syracuse because of a minor bone bruise in the knee, but is probable for Saturday's game at home against South Florida. It was "Pack the House" night at the Carrier Dome with tickets set at $2 apiece, and among the school-record 4,357 fans was local star Breanna Stewart, the top prospect in the nation. The 6'4 Sr. F/C at Cicero-North Syracuse High School announced last February that she was headed to UConn, and she wanted a firsthand look at her future team.

The Connecticut women's basketball team is one of nine programs that have been selected by Nike to wear the new Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniform this season. The Huskies will wear the uniform when it hosts Notre Dame at the XL Center on February 27, 2012 at 9pm on ESPN2. Each of the nine programs selected have won NCAA Championships in Nike apparel. In addition to the Connecticut women, the participating schools include the Connecticut men's team, Arizona, the Baylor women's team, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Syracuse. UConn is the only school to have both its men's and women's program as part of the deal. According to Nike, the "Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniform is designed at the intersection of sustainability and performance. Nike created the uniforms specifically for superior performance and lower environmental impact. The fabric of the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum shorts are made from 100 percent recycled polyester while the jersey fabric is made from at least 96% recycled polyester. Both short and jersey are tailored for the optimal efficiency of movement and are five percent lighter than the previous Nike Hyper Elite uniform. Featuring laser-cut bonded logos, a sharp platinum design as well as prominent accent colors, the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms are sure to shine on the court."

Other aspects of the uniform include:
*Laser perforations in side panels for increased breathability and a lightweight 4-way stretch woven design on the short.
*A bonded hem detailing found on the short and the bonded back seam near the neckline to enhance comfort and style.
*A lightweight Nike Sphere fabric on the front.
*A full Nike Aerographics back panel.

Fans can follow the press conference announcing the new uniforms at: http://www.nikelivepresents.com/platinum/nike_platinum.html

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Syracuse Orange (13-7, 2-4 BE).

Location: Carrier Dome (Syracuse, NY)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 6pm)
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: ICS Live Stats

UConn freshman W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the 6th time in her career after helping UConn to a 3-0 week including two wins over ranked teams and averaging 16.7ppg and 6.7rpg. Mosqueda-Lewis had 15 points, six rebounds and two assists in a win against 24/21 North Carolina on Jan. 16. Three days later, she had 10 points and seven rebounds against Cincinnati. In a win at 21/19 DePaul, she shot 62 percent from the floor, including a 5-of-7 performance from 3-point range, to lead the team with 25 points. She added seven rebounds and was 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (17-2, 6-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 88, DePaul 44
Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 7r, 1s, 1b, 22m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (4dr, 3s, 2b, 25m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 7r, 1s, 1b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: Bench Pts.: UConn 46, DePaul 9

Summary: Led by Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and her 25pts., UConn started the game on fire and it was over before the first timeout as the Huskies doubled-up DePaul, 88-44. What was supposed to be a tough game was quickly over as UConn shot 54% and recieved 18-1st half pts. from Mosqueda-Lewis. DePaul's leading scorer Jr. G Anna Martin, who came in averaging a team-high 19.2 points, missed all six shots and was held scoreless by the brilliant defense of Jr. G Kelly Faris (aided in the 2nd half by Fr. G Brianna Banks). About the only downer for the Huskies was Jr. G Caroline Doty leaving after playing just 2 minutes because her troublesome left knee swelled up. She's torn the anterior-cruciate ligament three times, so it probably wasn't too surprising that it acted up with the Huskies playing their fourth game in eight days.

UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma wasn't concerned, saying, "There's no alarm at all."

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 21/19 Depaul Blue Demons (15-4, 3-2 BE).

Location: McGrath-Phillips Arena (Chicago, IL)
Time: 8:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (16-2, 5-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 80, Cincinnati 37
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (17p, 7r, 2a, 4s, 30m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (6dr, 2s, 26m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (10p, 7r, 1a, 1b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: 2nd Chance Pts.: UConn 26, Cincinnati 3

Summary: It never easy for a current Husky playing in a game against a former Husky, and especially not easy when that player is as special as Jamelle Elliott was to UConn. But one team has to win and as usual as it was UConn who won going away over Cincinnati, 80-37. Led by All-American candidates Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (17p & 7r) and So. Stefanie Dolson (14p & 8r), UConn saw every player score for the second time this season and won at home for the NCAA-record 96 consecutive time.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-8, 0-4 BE).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 6:30pm)
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (15-2, 4-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 86, North Carolina 35
Player of the Game: So. G Bria Hartley (17p, 3r, 8a, 3s, 34m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. C Stefanie Dolson (3dr, 3s, 2b, 23m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. C Kiah Stokes (11p, 11r, 1s, 2b, 14m)
Stat of the Game: A/TO: UConn 26/17, UNC 4/26

Summary: Led once again by All-American candidate So. G Bria Hartley, UConn easily handled (embarassed is more like it) North Carolina, 86-35. Hartley scored 17pts. to go along with 3rebs., 8asts., and 3stls. while Fr. C Kiah Stokes came off the bench to record her 1st career double-double with career-highs of 11pts. and 11rebs. The 51-pt. defeat was the worst loss in Tar Heel history and it might have been worse if UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma didn't pull most of his starters early in the 2nd half. No one on UNC scored in double figures whereas the Huskies finished with six.

UConn freshman W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the 5th time in her career after helping UConn to a 2-0 week and averaging 14.5ppg, 5rpg and 3apg in a 2-0 week for Connecticut. She shot 50 percent from the field, including 57.1 percent from 3-point range. Against Providence on Jan. 10, she had 13 points, six assists, eight rebounds and two steals with just one turnover. In a win at Villanova on Jan. 14, Mosqueda-Lewis had 16 points, connecting on 6-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-5 from behind the arc while adding three steals.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 22/21 North Carolina Tar Heels (12-4).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Internet: ESPN3
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (14-2, 4-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 72, Villanova 49
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (22p, 5r, 3a, 3s, 37m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (4dr, 2s, 1b, 36m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (16p, 2r, 3s, 29m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 28, Villanova 4

Summary: Well that was fun!!! Ya know the "pull your hair out, stab yourself in the eye with a pencil" kinda fun!!! It was a game versus Villanova, which means the Wildcats slowed the game down to give themselves a chance. Luckily for UConn fans, Villanova hasn't had enough talent to pull it off since Trish Juline and the 2003 Wildcats. Led by UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes' 22pts, the Huskies pulled away late to defeat Villanova, 72-49. Freshman W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 16pts. off the bench as the Huskies went to a 5-guard line-up and turned up the defense to force the best ball-handling team (11.1 TOpg) in the nation into 23 TO's.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Villanova Wildcats (11-5, 2-2 BE).

Location: The Pavilion (Philadelphia, PA)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (13-2, 3-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 96, Providence 35
Player of the Game: So. G Bria Hartley (19p, 4r, 3a, 3s, 25m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (4dr, 1s, 1b, 21m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (13p, 8r, 6a, 2s, 1b, 29m)
Stat of the Game: Bench Pts.: UConn 37, Providence 8

Summary: Everyone got in on the action tonight and everyone contributed as UConn easily routed Providence, 96-35. Led by the UConn All-American candidate trio of Sr. G Tiffany Hayes, So. G Bria Hartley, and So. G Stefanie Dolson (who combined for 50pts., 11rebs., and 12asts. on 19 of 23 FG shooting), the Huskies extended their NCAA-record home-court winning streak to 94 consecutive games. Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis bounced back nicely from a rough game at Notre Dame to finish with 13p/8r/6a/2s/1b and Fr. G Brianna Banks had a good game as well finishing with 8p/5r/2a in 20mins.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Providence Friars (9-7, 1-2 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 6pm)
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (12-2, 2-1 BE)

Results: Notre Dame 74, Connecticut 67 (OT)
Player of the Game: Sr. G Natalie Novosel, ND (20p, 5r, 3a, 3s, 41m)
Def. Player of the Game: Sr. G Brittany Mallory, ND (2dr, 2s, 1b, 40m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (7p, 4r, 3a, 1s, 1b, 33m)
Stat of the Game: FT Shooting: UConn 12-20, Notre Dame 23-29

Summary: Once again it was close, but NOT close enough. This time the Huskies led Notre Dame by 2 with just over 20 seconds remaining in regulation, only to turn the ball over (on a no-call, but whatever) and allowed Notre Dame to score and send the game into overtime. Notre Dame then out-scored UConn 11-4 in the OT to give the Huskies their 2nd loss of the season winning by the score of 74-67. Notre Dame's All-American candidates Sr. G Natalie Novosel and Jr. G Skylar Diggins led teh way for the Fighting Irish with 20pts and 22pts., respectively while UConn was led by their All-American candidate So. G Bria Hartley who finished with a game-high 25pts.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 3/3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1, 2-0 BE).

Location: Joyce Center (South Bend, IN)
Time: 4:00pm (ET)
TV: CBS
Internet: None
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (12-1, 2-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 79, West Virginia 60
Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (14p, 5r, 5a, 6s, 1b, 34m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (4dr, 6s, 1b, 34m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (12p, 5r, 3a, 3s, 32m)
Stat of the Game: Turnovers: UConn 13, WVU 29

Summary: To say that this game was physical would be putting it lightly, it was like "Fight Club" out there. UConn All-American candidate So. G Bria Hartley led the Huskies with 18pts. and Jr. G Kelly Faris added 14p/5r/5a/6s/1b as UConn pulled away in the 2nd half to defeat West Virginia, 79-60. Ice bags in the locker room told the story of his team's win over West Virginia much better than the stat sheet. Five players scored in double figures as UConn extended its NCAA-record home winning streak to 93 games. All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes had 13 points, Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 12, and RJr. G Caroline Doty chipped in 11.

"There were a lot of knockdowns, a lot of takedowns in this game today," UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma said. "There is a lot of ice right now in the locker room."

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (10-3, 1-0 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Tiffany Hayes was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll this week after she went 8-of-11, including a pair of 3-pointers, in the Huskies win against Fairfield on Dec. 29. She scored 23 points in just 27 minutes of action, adding five rebounds and a pair of assists. She moved into 19th place on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 1,413 career points.