No. 1 UConn opens with a 100-56 win against No. 7 Ohio State

No. 1 UConn opens with a 100-56 win against No. 7 Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — UConn picked up where it left off last season in its season opener.

The top-ranked Huskies routed No. 7 Ohio State 100-56 on Monday night.

'It's the first game of the year but at the same time we've got four starters back,' UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of his team which has won three straight national championships.

The quartet that beat Notre Dame 63-53 on April 7 to win a third straight title was back in force.

Breanna Stewart had 24 points, Moriah Jefferson 21, Kia Nurse 16 and Morgan Tuck 15. Also, new starter Gabby Williams had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

'They should be able to look like they've played together awhile because they have played together awhile,' Auriemma said.

Ohio State (0-2), coming off an 88-80 loss at No. 2 South Carolina on Friday, trailed by three with just over two minutes left in the first quarter before the Huskies took over.

At one point of the second period the Huskies hit eight straight field goals and 10 of 11 and led 50-24 at the half.

'We got our (rear) kicked tonight,' Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. 'They were coached better. They played better. They were more prepared. They deserved to win by the margin they did.'

Shayla Cooper led Ohio State with 17 points.

All-American guard Kelsey Mitchell, who had 36 points against South Carolina and last season became the first freshman to lead the nation in scoring with a 24.9 average, picked up two fouls in the opening minutes.

'She didn't have a great night but they did a great job defending her,' McGuff said.

UConn started the game scoring 10 of the first 12 points with half of the by Nurse. But the Buckeyes worked their way back into the game. A jumper from the left corner by Alexa Hart brought Ohio State to within 18-15 but those would be the last points of the quarter as the Huskies ran off six straight for a 24-15 lead.

'They're a great team,' Cooper said. 'We have to learn from this game and get better.'