No. 1 UConn’s firepower too much — even without Samuelson

Philadelphia, PA — The stands were filled with a sea of navy in McGonigle Hall rather than the usual cherry and white.

Fans chanted “UConn-Huskies,” gave the team a standing ovation, and sighed when the Huskies missed a basket. But the game wasn’t in Connecticut.

These gestures happened in front of Temple’s home crowd, where the No. 1 UConn Huskies put on a show, outscoring the Owls 113-57 on Sunday afternoon.

The spectators' encouragement for the Huskies didn’t decide the game, but rather senior guard Kia Nurse and freshman Megan Walker. The duo led the team with a combined 46 points and six rebounds each, respectively.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma made sure to test his bench after being upset with the way the team played earlier this week against Tulsa. The bench contributed 39 points, as Walker came off the bench and shocked the crowd with her performance.

“What I like about Megan getting done is that she got things done. She went in and she contributed and felt part of what I thought she should be doing all along,” Auriemma said.

Despite UConn’s lead scorer junior guard Katie Lou Samuelson on the bench with an ankle injury, the Huskies were able to improve to 7-0 in conference play.

On Samuelson's injury update, Auriemma commented, “She’s had issues on that side for a long time dating back to high school…I hope it doesn’t keep her out anymore, but there is never a time when she is going to be 100%.”

UConn will continue its road trip at Memphis on Jan. 24 while Temple will look to snap its four game losing streak on Jan. 24 against Penn.