STORRS, Ct. _ UConn women's basketball fans got their first look at the 2019-20 Huskies, including three of the program's newcomers, in a 103-40 exhibition win over Division II Jefferson Sunday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion.
While freshmen Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat, who assumed the fifth starting spot behind the team's three returning starters and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, were solid in their first games in a Husky uniform, it was junior Megan Walker who shined brightest, scoring a game-high 28 points, including 19 in the first half.
Christyn Williams and Nelson-Ododa also ended the first half in double figures before finishing with 16 points apiece. Nelson-Ododa added 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals and five blocks, while Kyla Irwin and Griffin notched 11 and 10 points, respectively. Senior point guard Crystal Dangerfield added five points as all nine UConn players who appeared in the game scored.
Coach Geno Auriemma has previously said that out of all his players, Walker made the biggest jump in the offseason and that she would have to have a Napheesa Collier-type year for the Huskies to end up in the Final Four this season. Though an exhibition contest doesn't necessarily show much, Walker demonstrated a promising step in that direction, scoring from all over the floor (including going 3-for-6 from the 3-point line) and looking strong in transition.
Given Auriemma's and her teammates' high praise of Makurat after only a few months in Storrs, it wasn't entirely surprising that a player with two years of experience in Poland's top basketball would get a nod as a starter. Makurat was a bit cold from the floor but scored multiple transition layups in a strong first quarter.
Griffin showed off her athleticism with solid defense, collecting six rebounds and getting to the foul line.
Molly Bent was first off the bench, followed by Griffin and Irwin. Evelyn Adebayo was the last available player to come off the bench with under two minutes remaining in the second half.
Batouly Camara did not dress nor participate in warmups.
