Abrosimova Dominates As Uconn Pulls Off Upset

Top 25 women

Svetlana Abrosimova had a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds as No. 3 Connecticut used a late run to crush No. 2 Old Dominion 93-72 Monday in Hartford, Conn., handing the Monarchs their first loss this season.

Abrosimova was 12 for 14 from the floor to finish with seven more points than her previous best, leading a balanced attack as the Huskies (17-1) overcame early struggles by leading scorer Nykesha Sales.

UConn point guard Rita Williams also made some key plays and hit crucial baskets down the stretch as the Huskies handed the Monarchs (14-1) their most lopsided loss since Tennessee beat them 69-47 in 1995-96.

The Huskies went on a 27-8 run the final 5:27 to break open a game that had not swayed more than four points either way.

(24) Duke 75, (8) N. Carolina St. 61

At Raleigh, N.C., Payton Black had 20 points, and the Blue Devils led all the way in winning for the first time in four years at Reynolds Coliseum, upsetting the Wolfpack.

Hilary Howard and Nicole Erickson added 13 points each for Duke (12-5, 5-2 ACC), which took advantage of the second-worst shooting performance this season by the Wolfpack (15-2, 6-1).

Tynesha Lewis scored 13 points and Chasity Melvin added 12 for N.C. State, which made only 25 of 68 shots (37 percent).

N.C. State trailed by five points at halftime, and by 11 with 12 minutes left before a baseline jumper by Summer Erb and an 18-footer by Kristen Gillespie cut the Duke lead to 46-39.

But Duke went on an 11-4 run, highlighted by Naz Medhanie’s 3-pointer to pull away for the win.