• Recap
• Bleachers

Connecticut 83, Texas 58

Nov 18, 2009 - 5:58 AM By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Defending champion Connecticut arrived in San Antonio five months before the Final Four begins here.

But from the looks of it, the top-ranked Huskies are already playing like it's April.

Maya Moore had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Connecticut had no trouble with what was supposed to be its first real test of the season, easily beating No. 10 Texas 83-58 on Tuesday night in yet another blowout during the Huskies' 41-game winning streak.

Against ranked or unranked teams, whether in November or April, it hasn't mattered in a long time for the Huskies. After winning by an average of 30 points last season, UConn dominated Texas after demolishing Northeastern 105-35 in its season opener.

"There are a lot of things that came out of tonight that were good for our team, things you'd like to know about your team but you wouldn't find out unless you played a pretty good team on the road," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.

He added, "It was a good test for us."

If he says so.

Tina Charles added 15 points and 11 rebounds as UConn (2-0) never trailed in what was basically a home game for the Longhorns. But the defending champion Huskies looked far more comfortable.

The Huskies played like they'll be coming back this way. All five starters for Connecticut were in double figures as it dismantled another opponent, after going unbeaten last season with 39 double-digit victories.

On Tuesday, they took command early against Texas and never let up.

Kathleen Nash led Texas (1-1) with 22 points. The Longhorns remained winless in five tries against UConn, and this 25-point loss was among the worst yet.

It stands second only to the 34-point defeat the Huskies handed Texas in the second round of the 2008 NCAA tournament.

"Their intensity was at another level," Nash said. "For a team to come out and play that hard for that long and just do every little thing right makes them a great team."

Kalana Greene scored 14 points, Caroline Doty had 13 and Tiffany Hayes added 10 for UConn, which shot 48 percent from the floor while holding Texas to 32 percent.

Tempting as it might seem for UConn to be already thinking about coming back to San Antonio next spring, Auriemma said he didn't even discuss it with his players.

"I haven't said anything, have I?" Auriemma said, sitting between Charles and Moore after the game.

Charles shook her head. So did Moore.

"What's the point in talking about it all the time?" Auriemma said. "They know exactly what they're playing for. They know exactly why were here. They know what the road looks like between now and then."

Although the final score would suggest otherwise, the game was actually the marquee draw of a doubleheader at the AT&T Center. The Final Four will be at the Alamodome.

Brittainey Raven had 14 points for the Longhorns.

"They had five starters in double figures," Texas coach Gail Goestenkors said. "Great teams have great balance, and they do. Not only are they skilled, but they work harder than anyone else."