UCLA
Connecticut
Women's Basketball Falls to Connecticut
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 1998
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Although No. 2 Connecticut routed two ranked teams over the weekend, Svetlana Abrosimova figured she had to do a little more to keep the Huskies rolling.
So the sophomore forward scored a career-high 39 points to lead the Huskies to a 113-102 victory over No. 14 UCLA on Tuesday night.
"Before the game, I felt like I had to do more than I had been doing," said Abrosimova, who had averaged 15.5 points in wins over then-No. 18 Arkansas and No. 4 Duke. "I felt like I needed to score more points. After I hit my first couple shots, I felt I could do it."
Abrosimova, who also led UConn with 10 rebounds and nine assists, made her most critical contribution in the first half. Her 20 points in the opening 10 minutes rallied the Huskies from an 18-7 deficit and gave them a 25-23 lead they never relinquished.
"We came out cold, but Svetlana helped get us rolling," said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. "She showed what kind of talent she has tonight."
UCLA, which was ranked sixth in the preseason poll, fell to 0-2.
"Abrosimova got a lot of good looks," said Bruins coach Kathy Olivier. "I think she made a lot of good decisions on the court. She really pulled through for them."
UCLA pulled within eight points with 1:59 left on a 3-pointer by Marie Philman, who finished with 17 points.
However, Abrosimova hit a 16-footer with 1:44 left and Shea Ralph, who finished with a career-high 28 points, made a short jumper with 1:17 to play to put the Huskies ahead 107-96.
Janae Hubbard led UCLA with a career-high 29 points. Michelle Greco and LaCresha Flannigan each added 17 points for the Bruins.
Tamika Williams scored 17 for UConn, including several key baskets in the second half to help blunt the Bruins' comeback attempts.
