Connecticut (UConn) Huskies
vs Oakland Grizzlies
Women's Basketball

A Basketball Photo Story
Hartford Civic Center December 23, 2006

The Connecticut Women Huskies hosted the Oakland Grizzlies' Women’s basketball team at the Hartford Civic Center today, December 23rd. The Grizzlies fell to sixth ranked Connecticut by an 85-53 margin in a game that wasn't as close as the final score might indicate. The UConn women totally dominated this game. Oakland got on the board first as Oakland senior Bonnie Baker converted a free throw at 19:10. It was their 1st and last lead of the aftrenoon. The Huskies scored 11 of the next 15 points to go ahead 11-5 at 3 minutes into the game .

Of concern to the Connecticut fans was center Brittany Hunter's right knee. Hunter warmed up prior to the game and it appeared fine and looked good for most of Saturday's first half as Hunter matched a career high with 13 points and nine rebounds. Hunter, who had major knee surgery in 2004 and has been playing with torn cartilage this season, pulled up lame with about a minute to go before the half and sat out the rest of the game with her knee iced. Coach Geno Auriemma said the team won't know until next week whether she irritated the knee or did more damage. He has been leaving the decision about how much Hunter plays to her. "It's like a guy who drives a race car," Auriemma said. "He knows when he should keep driving and he knows when he should pull over."
Tina Charles, a standout last year at Christ the King High School and Connecticut's starting center, also left the game with an injury, after scoring nine of the Huskies' first 11 points. Charles hurt her right shoulder diving for a loose ball at center court with 4:00 to go in the half. She has had problems with that shoulder since high school and should be fine with some rest, Auriemma said. Kalana Greene, another of Auriemma's outstanding underclassmen stepped into the void, scoring 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds to lead UConn to its first 9-0 start in three seasons. It was the sophomore's first double-double, and capped off the best week of her career. She scored 21 in a victory over Virginia on Monday, and 17 in Thursday's win over Colorado State. Surely a sign of good things to come.

UConn outrebounded Oakland 55-34, including 24 offensive rebounds. "We just could not keep them off the boards," said Oakland coach Beckie Francis. "We got out of this game how good a ranked team is -- a national-championship level team -- and we got out of it that we need to improve on our rebounding."

The following photographs (photos) were taken from our seats.

Copyright 2006 Jerry Molaver
The copyright law grants the copyright owner exclusive right to copy, distribute and create derivative works of his/her/its work in any medium. Copying these photographs, or portions thereof, is a copyright infringement and is expressly forbidden.

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Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball
Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball
Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball
Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball Photograph University of Connecticut Huskies - Oakland Women Grizzlies Basketball

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