Hartford, CT (My Sportsbook) - Top-ranked Connecticut won its NCAA-record 71st consecutive game Monday, a 59-44 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
It is the longest winning streak in NCAA Division I women's basketball history, as the Huskies (32-0) surpassed their own record set from 2001-03. The only longer winning streak in NCAA Division I basketball history is the 88-game run the UCLA men had from 1971-1974.
But while Monday's victory was historic, it also included a scary moment in the final minute. Connecticut guard Caroline Doty was hit in the back of the neck by a Notre Dame player trying to get to the ball, and fell to the floor. Doty lay there for several minutes as medical staff attended to her, but eventually sat up and walked off under her own power.
The Huskies ended up winning by double digits, which they have done for all 71 games during this streak. However, they led by only three at halftime and were held to a season-low in points.
Tina Charles ended with 16 points and 17 rebounds in the victory, while Kalana Greene had 15 points and seven rebounds for Connecticut, which will play either West Virginia or Rutgers in the final.
Maya Moore finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the win, which helped put UConn into the Big East Tournament title game for the sixth straight season.
Skylar Diggins had 10 points to pace the Irish (27-5), including two free throws in the last minute of the first half, which cut UConn's lead to 25-22 going into the break.
The teams traded buckets coming out of halftime, but the Huskies got some critical separation. Charles sank a jumper before Moore drained a three to make it a 32-24 game.
The Huskies continued to lead by at least two possessions, and with under 15 minutes to play, they took control with a 10-2 run. Greene began it with a pair of jumpers, and Kaili McLaren's layup with just over 10 minutes left ended it for a 46-33 lead.
Notre Dame was within 51-41 with under seven minutes left, but scored just once more as UConn pulled away to secure the victory.
