Sophomore Jessieka Palmer played point guard for the first time in her UH career against No. 1 UConn. | Emily Chambers/The Daily Cougar
For the first time since 1987, the UH hosted a top-ranked team, but were unable to pull out the upset against the University of Connecticut, losing 92-41 at Hofheinz Pavilion on Saturday.
UConn defeated UH the last time they met 90-40, and this game felt familiar because UH has never beaten a No. 1 team (0-10 all-time).
At No. 1 in the nation, the Huskies (28-0, 15-0) have dominated women’s college basketball and the American Athletic Conference this season.
“They were really good and they’re playing short right now with some kids that are injured, but they are legit,” said head coach Wade Scott.
UConn has been beating teams by an average margin of victory of 36.9 points. The Huskies lead the conference in points per game with 81.1 and points allowed with 47.2.
The Huskies’ signature full court trap never really presented a problem, but they did show why they are such a threat on defense with 8 blocks and 13 steals.
Their crisp ball movement helped them attain a 40-16 lead at the half, and they already had three players in double figures.
UConn immediately came out in the second half and scored off a turnover within 16 seconds. Their defensive presence was felt forcing 18 turnovers, and converting the Cougars’ mistakes into baskets with 26 points off turnovers.
For the Cougars, senior forward Te’onna Campbell led UH (5-22, 1-15) in scoring, finishing with 15 points and four rebounds. Campbell has been the catalyst for this team all season, and is second on the team in scoring (9.5) and rebounding (6.7).
“Te’onna is a warrior and if she were a gladiator, she’d be Maximus,” said Scott.
Campbell wasn’t the only high point for them offensively. Sophomore Jessieka Palmer stepped into a new role contributing 12 points and four rebounds. Palmer was asked to play the point guard position, which isn’t her natural position.
“Being in a new role is different, but coach told me that he needed me to run point so I had to step up and accept the challenge,” said Palmer.
Sophomore forward Marche Amerson was coming off of a career-high in points, scoring 23 against Louisville, but didn’t have much of an impact in this game finishing with three points on 1-9 shooting.
The Cougars struggled to score collectively the entirety of the game, and every time the Lady Cougars did score, Connecticut had a response. UH shot 27 percent from the field.
