Then, the Huskies scored 27 of the second half’s first 37 points to push their astonishing momentum to a 69-38 advantage with 11:29 left.
As we learned during four days at UD Arena in press conferences and open locker room sessions, it’s getting difficult to find different ways to discuss UConn’s domination.
In dismantling Florida State 90-50, the Huskies won their 37th game of the season without a loss, 76th game in a row and advanced to the Final Four with an average tournament margin of 47 points, including wins by 38 and 40 in Dayton.
Bales has to laugh at first when approached to talk about Connecticut, because comparing teams is difficult, and she’s been asked to do it plenty.
No one in the Miami Valley, though, is as qualified to break down this dominating team and its all-time leading scorer and rebounder, 6-foot-4 Tina Charles, as Bales is.
Verdict: Goodness, gracious.
“Tina Charles is such a great finisher around the basket, but maybe if you try and push her out away from the basket, she wouldn’t be as good of a finisher. But she’s so strong, like just there ... ,” Bales said as Charles collected a pass at the basket in front of Bales and deftly laid it in for another in an avalanche of points (Charles herself finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four blocks).
And, sure, Bales would like her shot at ‘em.
“Of course I’d like to play them, maybe with my senior year Duke team,” Bales said. “I think it would be a great challenge.”
Some UConn descriptions came in few words.
“Boy,” said Florida State coach Sue Semrau, “they make you play ugly.”
UConn junior Maya Moore was named the Dayton Regional’s most outstanding player after scoring 22 points in 20 minutes on Tuesday.
Want a succinct answer on her performance? Huskies coach Geno Auriemma had one: “Unconscious.”
No description was necessary immediately after. Officials quickly set up a mid-court awards area as the players celebrated like this wasn’t a foregone conclusion. They threw on their hats and T-shirts noting their Final Four ticket and accepted the regional championship trophy before hopping over to the pep band and dancing.
There are no words, I guess, to describe how good Connecticut is.
Only dance moves.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com
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