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Gators Crushed By No. 1 UConn

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The Associated Press

Published: March 25, 2009

STORRS, Conn. - Next stop on the UConn express - Trenton.

Renee Montgomery scored 25 points in her final game at home and undefeated Connecticut beat eighth-seeded Florida 87-59 in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament on Tuesday.

The Huskies (35-0) advanced to the regional semifinals for the 16th straight season where they will play fourth-seeded California on Sunday. This is the fourth time UConn has been undefeated while playing in the NCAA Tournament. Connecticut went on to win the national championship in 1995 and 2002. In 1996-97, the Huskies lost to Tennessee in the regional final.

Tina Charles followed up her 32-point effort in the first round with 22 against Florida. She also had 10 rebounds for her 11th double-double this season.

Maya Moore added 22 points and 14 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season.

Marshae Dotson scored 22 to lead Florida (24-8).

With her No. 20 hanging in Gampel Pavilion on the wall in the Huskies of Honor, Montgomery started her 136th straight game to break the school record she shared with Jen Rizzotti.

Steffi Sorensen's 30-footer at the buzzer made it 47-26 at the half marking the 14th time this season that UConn led by at least 20 at the break.

Florida could get no closer than 20 in the second half.

"We didn't come in here to keep it interesting," Florida coach Amanda Butler said. "To not be one of the ranked teams to keep it under 30 or whatever they've been beating ranked opponents by. Connecticut is fantastic."

MICHIGAN STATE 63,

DUKE 49

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State fans came to boo their former coach.

They left cheering for the Spartans.

Mia Johnson scored 17 points and Lauren Aitch had 15, lifting ninth-seeded Michigan State (22-10) past top-seeded Duke (27-6) and former coach Joanne P. McCallie.

Duke didn't make a shot for the last 7 1/2 minutes.

MARYLAND 71,

UTAH 56

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With help from their Maryland teammates and a spirited crowd, Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver enthusiastically celebrated one final victory on their home court.

Coleman had 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Toliver scored 17, and top-seeded Maryland (30-4) advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament with a victory against Utah (23-10).

The Terrapins will next play Vanderbilt (26-8) in the semifinals of the Raleigh Regional.

TEXAS A&M 73,

MINNESOTA 42

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Texas A&M stole its way into the NCAA's third round.

Sydney Colson had six steals to pace the Aggies to a season-high 20 and Texas A&M (27-7) forced a season-high 32 turnovers in a victory against Minnesota (20-11).

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