Geno Auriemma insists Connecticut's latest winning streak is only part of what the talented Huskies are trying to accomplish.
``We didn't come out to play the streak or anything else. My kids have been loose, having fun and enjoying themselves. I don't think they concerned themselves with the streak,'' Auriemma said Wednesday night after the top-ranked Huskies routed DePaul 95-62 for their 63rd straight victory.
``I've already been down this road,'' said Auriemma, whose teams from 2001-2003 won 70 straight. ``I try not to get involved in any of that stuff. I'm actually waiting for the loss. I told the team I don't care if we have one loss or 10 losses as long as it's not the last game of the year.
Tiffany Hayes and Tina Charles scored 19 points apiece in a balanced scoring attack and UConn's defense forced 25 turnovers.
The Huskies (24-0, 11-0 Big East) used a late spurt to build a 20-point halftime lead and then went on an 11-1 run to open the second. All of Connecticut's wins during its streak have been by double digits.
Hayes hit a long 3-pointer at the first half buzzer and then started the second half with another 3. And when Charles scored six straight points, the Huskies opened up a 30-point cushion early in the second half. They led by as many as 38 in the second half.
Maya Moore added 14 points for UConn.
``You can't give this team opportunities,'' DePaul coach Doug Bruno said. ``I thought we kept them relatively UConn run-free in the first half and we're still chasing 17. You don't want the disaster of that '3' going down to give them a 20-point lead.''
DePaul (16-9, 5-6) hung tough for most of the first half, but didn't have the talent to stay with the Huskies and was hurt by 25 turnovers - 14 in the opening half. Sam Quigley led the Blue Demons with 15 points.
Connecticut had an early 12-0 run but couldn't deliver a knockout punch against the hustling Blue Demons until the final minute of the opening half.
DePaul was still within nine when Keisha Hampton sank a jumper with 4:44 left.
But in the final 1:11, Hayes drove for a basket, Moore hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and then Hayes delivered a crusher to DePaul. She launched a 25-footer that swished through the basket as the buzzer sounded, giving the Huskies a 52-32 halftime lead.
``I didn't know how much time. I heard a couple of my teammate screaming at me to shoot the ball, shoot the ball,'' Hayes said.
``I looked at the clock and thought it was running out. I just set my feet and shot a ball and it went in.''
And with it pretty much went DePaul's chances of playing a closer game.
``Instead of driving it in for a layup she has to throw it in,'' Auriemma said. ``One of those days.''
Hayes had 16 first-half points, shooting 6 for 8. She finished 7 for 10.
