UNCASVILLE, Conn. _ It's all about the process, until it's about the trophies.
Several times recently, UConn coach Geno Auriemma has talked about owning moments _ not just the bright-light moments, but also the ones behind closed doors, through every day, in every practice and every game, that are part of the build up to the point the Huskies have now reached.
The point where they're handed tournament trophies.
The top-ranked Huskies hoisted another one Tuesday, defeating South Florida 70-54 in the AAC championship game.
Gabby Williams, who missed Monday's semifinal victory over Cincinnati to rest a hip injury, returned to the starting lineup and bulldozed the Huskies through a tight first half until the usual expressways opened early in the third quarter, when UConn put the game out of reach.
The Huskies used a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Kia Nurse to lead 21-17 after the first quarter, and a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Katie Lou Samuelson to lead 37-23 at halftime. The lead reached 23 in the third quarter.
The Huskies are a conference tournament champion for the 23rd time, having won all five in the AAC's history after winning 18 in the Big East. UConn has defeated South Florida in the past four championship games. Last year's score was 100-44, with Samuelson making 10 3's and scoring 40 points.
Tuesday's game was much more of a grind, and Williams was the Swiss Army Knife, impacting play in just about all areas from the get go. She made 9 of 11 shots, had 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Azura Stevens was named the tournament's most outstanding player. She had 13 points Tuesday as UConn improved to 101-0 all-time in AAC games and 26-0 vs. USF. Williams, Samuelson and Crystal Dangerfield were named to the first team.
Up next: Rest, before chasing another trophy _ the big one.
The Huskies (32-0) will be the top overall seed for the NCAA Tournament and begin a quest for a 12th national title March 16 or 17.
Kitija Laksa had 26 points for South Florida (26-7), also a sure NCAA Tournament team.
The Bulls weren't afraid Tuesday, they just weren't good enough for long enough, though they hung around through much of the first quarter, trailing 11-10 midway through. Samuelson made a 3-pointer to put the Huskies up by four. It was six after Williams drove for a bucket but UConn wasn't about to pull away.
A 3-pointer by Laksa pulled the Bulls within one in the final minute, and UConn settled for a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter as Nurse beat the buzzer.
In the second, consecutive baskets by Williams gave UConn a 29-20 lead. Stevens' bucket made it 50-30 in the third, and soon the Huskies were a mid-court, another photo-op, another celebration with hats and t-shirts, another trophy.
