UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Breanna Stewart scored 20 points and top-ranked Connecticut beat No. 3 Louisville 72-52 on Monday night to win the inaugural American Athletic Conference tournament.
With the victory, UConn (34-0) became the 14th team to enter the NCAA tournament without a loss. It’s the sixth time that the Huskies have accomplished that feat. They’ve gone on to win the national championship four of those years.
UConn got off to a quick start, scoring the first eight points of the game. Louisville trailed 28-20 with 6 minutes left in the first half before Stewart took over.
Her three-point play started a 12-2 run to close the half. Stewart, the tournament’s MVP, had seven points during the burst as UConn led 40-22 at the break.
Stefanie Dolson had 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Huskies, who have won 40 straight games - the third-longest streak in school history.
Shoni Schimmel led Louisville (30-4) with 20 points, but was 7 for 25 from the field.
No. 9 BAYLOR 74, No. 7 WEST VIRGINIA 71
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Odyssey Sims overcame an ankle injury and scored 19 points to help Baylor win the Big 12 women’s tournament.
Niya Johnson also had 19 points and made four free throws in the final minute, and Nina Davis added 16 points for the Lady Bears (29-4), who have won 15 of their past 16 games. Davis, a freshman, was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Bria Holmes scored 24 points and Linda Stepney added 10 for West Virginia (29-4), which had won 12 straight.
The teams shared the regular-season Big 12 title and split their games during the regular season, with each winning on the other’s home court.
No. 18 GONZAGA 68, SAINT MARY’S 60
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Haiden Palmer scored 16 points and Gonzaga advanced to the West Coast Conference tournament championship.
Gonzaga will go for its fifth WCC tournament title in six years when it faces No. 2 seed BYU on Tuesday.
Shelby Cheslek had 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for Gonzaga (28-4).
The Bulldogs forced 12 first-half turnovers and led 37-26 at the break.
Senior Jackie Nared had 29 points and 11 rebounds for Saint Mary’s (22-9).
No. 23 DEPAUL 100, MARQUETTE 90
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Jasmine Penny made 10 of 11 shots and finished with 26 points, helping DePaul advance to the Big East tournament championship.
Top-seeded DePaul will face No. 2 seed St. Johns in the title game on Tuesday.
DePaul jumped out to a 55-38 halftime lead.
Chanise Jenkins had 23 points and Megan Rogowski finished with 21 for DePaul (26-6).
Marquette (21-10) was led by Katie Young’s 25 points. Brooklyn Pumroy scored 21 and Katherine Plouffe had 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.