UConn defeated UCLA in the Hall of Fame Challenge and USF topped Penn State on the road in overtime during Sunday women's basketball action around The American.
No. 2/2 UConn 86, UCLA 50
Breanna Stewart led five players in double figure scoring as No. 2/2 UConn topped UCLA 86-50 in the Hall of Fame Challenge at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Huskies went on a 16-2 run late in the first half to put the game out of reach for the Bruins. Freshman Gabby Williams added 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench while classmate Kia Nurse chipped in 11 points and six assists. UConn scored 32 points off UCLA's 21 turnovers. The Bruins had just four points on the Huskies' 11 miscues.
NR/RV USF 90, Penn State 87 (OT)
NR/RV USF held on for a 90-87 win at Penn State Sunday afternoon in State College, Pa. The Bulls, who played its first overtime game since the 2012-13 NCAA tournament vs. California, wrapped up the non-conference slate with a 9-3 mark. Courtney Williams scored 34 points to lead all scorers and added 11 rebounds on the defensive end. Alisia Jenkins recorded the first 20-point 20-rebound game in USF history since 1990, pulling down a career-high 21 rebounds to go with 23 points.
Houston 60, Texas Tech 54
Houston wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 60-54 loss to Texas Tech in the Athletes in Action Classic finale Sunday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas. Marche’ Amerson and freshman Mariah Mitchell were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts. Bianca Winslow set a career-high and led the Cougars with 12 points. Alexia Sanders added her second double-digit effort of the tournament with 10 points, while Alecia Smith paced Houston with seven rebounds. The Cougars held the home team to 37.3% (22-for-59) shooting and forced them into 16 turnovers.
NR/RV Arkansas-Little Rock 66, Tulsa 59
NR/RV Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) defeated Tulsa 66-59 Sunday afternoon at the Reynolds Center. Kelsee Grovey led the Golden Hurricane attack with 12 points, while Ashley Clark was next with all of her 10 points coming in the second half. UALR’s Kiera Clark and Taylor Gault tied for the game-high with 16 points, while Shanity James added 13 points.
Auburn 56, SMU 43
SMU outscored Auburn 25-15 in the second half, but it was not enough as the Tigers held on for a 56-43 win over the Mustangs in the St. John's Holiday Classic. SMU outrebounded Auburn 45-38 for the contest, with Destynee Hives-McCray tallying 10 to secure the double-double with 11 points. Hives-McCray grabbed eight rebounds in the second half, and totaled a season-high seven offensive rebounds in the game. SMU fell to 4-7 with the loss, while Auburn improved to 8-3 on the year.