ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - The Marist women's basketball team put together a spirited defensive effort, but fell 81-39 Friday night to the University of Connecticut, who came into the game ranked second in the country.
The Red Foxes (2-3) held UConn (4-0) well below their season average in a couple of categories. The 81 points scored tied for their lowest total on the season as the Huskies came into the contest averaging 93 points per game. The other opponent to hold them to 81 was #16/13 Texas A&M. Marist also UConn them to 50% shooting from the field after they had averaged 62.6% in their first three games. Only three players UConn players reached their season averaged in points scored.
For the second straight game, Emma O'Connor (Lynbrook, N.Y.) set a career-high, finishing with 18 points, after scoring 10 on Thursday against #12/14 Purdue. Her first 10 points came in the first half as she scored 10 of Marist's first 11 points. She was 4-7 from three-point range and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. Madeline Blais (Exeter, N.H.) had two three-pointers for the second consecutive night to finish with six points and Elizabeth Beynnon (Burlington, Vt.) finished with four points, five rebounds and three assists.
Marist went over 13 minutes in the first half without a field goal. After O'Connor hit a three-pointer with 13:41 left, the Red Foxes did not make a basket until Blais hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining in the first half. The Red Foxes trailed 42-14 at the midway point.
Over the first three minutes of the second half, Marist outscored UConn 10-7, forcing three Huskies' turnovers and four missed shots. O'Connor hit two three-pointers in that span and added two free throws. Leanne Ockenden (Syracuse, N.Y.) also made a short jumper.
The Red Foxes close out play in the Virgin Islands Saturday evening with a 6:00 EST game versus Wake Forest of the ACC. Listen to the game live on the Red Fox Network or watch on the tournament's live stream from the Paradise Jam Facebook page. Wake Forest lost to UConn on Thursday night by a 95-34 score.
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