No. 1 UConn beats USF, 71-48

On one hand, USF's women's basketball team fared seven points better than any other team that's played No. 1 Connecticut in Hartford this season. Then again, it's still a 23-point loss.

The Huskies cruised to a 71-48 win against the Bulls on Wednesday, dropping USF to 1-6 in Big East play. Down just 19-14 about 10 minutes into the first half, the Bulls saw UConn extend that lead to 42-22 at halftime and didn't get closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

USF (11-9, 1-6) continues to struggle shooting the ball, hitting 29.8 percent Wednesday and barely better -- 37.5 percent -- on 16 free-throw attempts. Guard Shantia Grace led the Bulls with 15 points, but went 6-for-16 from the field, which at 37.5 percent was still the highest shooting percentage of USF's five starters. Connecticut stars Maya Moore and Renee Montgomery led the Huskies with 23 and 21 points, respectively.

USF stays on the road, next playing at Louisville on Saturday before returning home to face DePaul on Tuesday.