COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Breanna Stewart had 25 points and 10 rebounds as No. 1 UConn again proved who rules the women's game, running past No. 2 South Carolina 66-54 on Monday night.
The Gamecocks had won their first 22 games and, in front of their first sold out crowd at 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena, figured to give the three-time defending NCAA champion Huskies (23-0) their sternest test of the season.
Instead, Stewart and UConn led by 15 points in the second quarter and never let the Southeastern Conference champs get back in it.
Stewart was the main reason why, finishing with her ninth double-double this season to go with five blocks. The 6-foot-4 senior also played strong defense against South Carolina's inside stars in A'ja Wilson and Alaina Coates. The Gamecocks duo, averaging 28 points combined this season, ended with just about half that (15) in their first loss of the season.
UConn won its 60th straight game while ending South Carolina's 45-game home victory string -- handing the Gamecocks their first loss here since falling to Texas A&M 50-48 on Feb. 10, 2013.
Duke 72, No. 13 Louisville 65
DURHAM, N.C. -- Freshman Brandon Ingram had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Duke beat No. 13 Louisville 72-65 on Monday night.
Grayson Allen scored 19 points and Luke Kennard had 11 for the Blue Devils (18-6, 7-4 Atlantic Coast Conference). They shot 50 percent in the second half and hit 10 of 12 free throws in the final 3:14 while beating a ranked opponent for the first time this season.
Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points and Quentin Snider, who fouled out with 2:01 left, added 12 for the Cardinals (19-5, 8-3), who shot 56 percent in the second half and erased a 15-point deficit but missed a chance to take sole possession of first place in the league.
Sports on 02/09/2016