PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Epiphany Prince's phenomenal scoring run Tuesday against UConn was nothing new for her. Two years ago at Murray Bergtraum (N.Y.) High School, the future Rutgers star scored 113 points in a game.
So it was no surprise to Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer that Prince was capable of scoring 33 points against the nation's best team.
"I don't think [her performance was] anything less than spectacular," Stringer said.
Nor did it surprise Geno Auriemma, who has seen Prince excel before - both at Murray Bergtraum playing against Tina Charles (of New York's Christ The King H.S.).
"It wasn't like she made easy shots," the UConn coach said. "I don't think she had many stand-and-shoot wide-open shots. They were tough shots."
Prince has hurt UConn before - she hit a gigantic 3-pointer late in last year's Big East tournament final, a 55-47 Rutgers win. It was her only 3 in the game and three of her nine total points.
(Can't) Stop The Presses
Rutgers' vaunted '55' full-court man-to-man defense was used to varying success throughout the game. In the first half, UConn managed to score three of the four times Rutgers went to the press. Then in the second half, the press wore down UConn and forced several key turnovers which helped the Scarlet Knights hold and expand their lead.
"We have not used the 55 press in a game for more than 2 minutes or so [this season]," Stringer said. "We believed in it and we came ready. We just worked hard."
Rutgers outscored UConn on turnovers, 16-2.
Still Scoring Moore Than Average
Maya Moore rebounded from a scoreless first half to continue her double-digit scoring streak. The freshman has scored at least 10 points in every game since coming to UConn, marking the longest streak to open a UConn career.
The Quotable C. Viv
"There is nothing but total respect and admiration for Connecticut. They're legendary. They're not just anybody. It's gonna be the same way we respond against Tennessee, but those are the only two teams that would be afforded that kind of response. It's just respect and hopefully everybody understands that."
-Stringer on her team's jubilant celebration following the rare win over UConn.
Up Next
The Huskies will look to salvage their stay in New Jersey this weekend with a trip to South Orange for a Saturday tilt against Seton Hall (13-7, 3-5 Big East).
Seton Hall has struggled this season, losing two straight going into Wednesday's match-up with No. 15 Pittsburgh. Historically, the Pirates have also struggled against UConn - the Huskies have only lost to the Pirates once since January 1987. The Huskies hold a 43-10 advantage in the series.
The last time UConn was No. 1 and lost, they responded with a 100-72 victory over West Virginia on March 2, 2004.
The tip is set for 2 p.m. on CPTV.
Kevin Meacham can be contacted at Kevin.Meacham@UConn.edu.
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