Aaliyah Edwards dominates in UConn women's win over Vermont: 'I felt the energy'

The two screamed in celebration before dabbing each other up. The Third-Team All-American, of course, then made the 3-point play.

By the end of the first quarter, Edwards had more points, assists, blocks and steals than the whole Vermont team.

"I felt the energy and, yeah, the love from the student section," Edwards said. "We're playing at Gampel, it's the first game here and you can feel that energy. You can feel the love from that atmosphere."

She added: "Hey, we're in the basketball capital of the world. And I think that we really felt it."

The No. 6-ranked Huskies kicked off its 34^th appearance in the NCAA Tournament Saturday in traditional fashion by dismantling its first-round opponent.

The No. 2 seeded Huskies ran through No. 15 Vermont 95-52 at Gampel Pavilion to advance to the tournament’s second round for the 29^th straight time. UConn will face the winner of No. 7 Baylor – No. 10 Alabama in Monday’s second round in Storrs for the chance to advance to the Sweet 16 regional in Seattle.

Saturday's loss snaps Vermont's 17-game win streak in its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.

"The NCAA Tournament does a lot to people, brings out the best in some people, brings out the worst in some people," coach Geno Auriemma said. "It's why it's so exciting I think to find out which teams are going to be playing their best and which teams are going to struggle ... And then get, you know, amazing performances from Aaliyah and Dorka. I just think that's a great way to start. And hopefully, we can build on that Monday night."

Saturday’s win also gives UConn its 26^th total 30-win season.

"I would describe it as hard to describe because I don't have the words for it," Auriemma said about the accomplishment. "Even though I did it. I was here. I saw all of it. And I still don't know how would I how would describe it. Obviously, the consistency is what's amazing for me that how players change every four years and then, you know, our league changed. I just think it's a testament to the people that we bring in here. From a coaching staff, support staff and the players."

Edwards and Juhász led UConn (30-5) the whole way. Edwards led all players with a career-high 28 points (on 13 of 15 shooting) to go with seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. Juhász recorded her 14th double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals.

Nika Mühl added nine points and 10 assists for her 11th game this season with double-digit assists. Caroline Ducharme had 12 points.

"When Aaliyah is making that mid-range jump shot, it just changes how our team has to be defended," Auriemma said. "I thought that first half that she played I thought it was one of the better halves of basketball that I've seen her play since she's been at Connecticut."

The Huskies were too much for Vermont in every category: size, offense and defense. UConn outrebounded the Catamounts 43-19 and held them to just 20 of 60 from the floor. Meanwhile, the Huskies shot 62%, outscored Vermont in the paint 54-10 and led by as much as 46.

UConn started Saturday with a quick 7-0 run before Edwards’ 3-point play at 2:52 in the first quarter gave the team an 18-7 lead. Throughout the game, the Huskies’ offense flowed and was in steady control. Azzi Fudd, starting in her first game since Dec. 4, drained the first bucket of the day 10 seconds after tipoff, immediately setting the tone.

The dominance continued into the second quarter. The Huskies' defense held Vermont (25-7) to make just three of 16 shots. UConn ended the half on a 15-2 run in its final five minutes to take a 33-point lead into halftime.

"We started the game off really well and we hit with the first punch," Edwards. "I think that from the jump ball, I knew personally individually that I'd be able to dominate inside and I think Dorka had her own too. I think that we just flowed together as a team. ... We just capitalized on every possession that we could."

Vermont’s defense ranks No. 8 in the nation holding opponents to 52.8. Yet, it didn’t stand a chance against the Huskies’ size (only two Catamount starters stand over six feet, whereas UConn has four starters at that height).

UConn shot 66.7 percent in the first half. The Huskies outscored the Catamounts in the paint 24-8 and 26-8 in the second quarter in the game’s first 20 minutes. Seven out of eight Huskies who played in the first half scored before halftime.

The Huskies' bigs, Edward and Juhász, took over the reins in the second half.

Edwards reached her previous career high of 26 points with still 11 minutes left in the game. The junior started the game 10 of 10 from the floor before missing her first shot in the third quarter. She scored her 28^th point at 7:48 in the fourth with a layup assisted by Mühl.

"We couldn't match her athleticism, strength, explosion," Vermont coach Alisa Kresge said. "We didn't have an answer for her. The game plan was to try to double her some, but she's ready for stuff like that."

Juhász reached a double-double in points and rebounds also in the third quarter.

"I'm grateful to be playing with her because if I'm not open, I know that she's going to hit that high-low and you know, knock in that shot," Edwards said. " ... I look up to her and I think that she's going to do great things when she leaves here. I'm grateful to be spending this last year with her."

Vermont got as close as 30 in the third but at that point, it was too late. UConn had freshmen Inês Bettencourt and Ayanna Patterson in to start the fourth quarter. With three minutes left in the game, all 10 active Huskies had played and scored.

Patterson scored six points in the fourth to get her first NCAA Tournament points. She grinned from ear to ear after each shot while running back on defense. Bettencourt's block with 2.5 minutes left got the whole Huskies bench up, mouth-dropped in shock.

"I thought we played really good basketball today," Fudd said. "I thought it was just a great start to kick off the tournament.  ... Seeing everyone score today was a special moment. It was just a lot of happiness and excitement."

Health update

Redshirt junior Aubrey Griffin played just 6.5 minutes Saturday due to ongoing back spasms. Griffin sat out all last season due to back surgery. She sat out the second half of the Big East Tournament Championship on March 6 due to back spasms. Auriemma said Griffin returned to practices on Thursday and was still dealing with the back spasms Saturday. He said she received treatment at halftime but was still feeling pain and decided to rest her for caution. 

Lou Lopez Senechal tripped during the opening minutes of the third quarter and soon checked out of the game. She was briefly seen by a trainer before spending time on the stationary bike in the team's tunnel. She returned to the bench but never checked back in. Auriemma said keeping her out of the game was also for precaution.

Maggie.Vanoni@hearstmediact.com   @maggie_vanoni