Collier leads the way as UConn defeats UTC with dominant second half, 80-43

Audio: Napheesa Collier postgame interview

, Conn. - Second-ranked UConn outscored Chatanooga 37-12 in the second half, to turn a 43-31 game into an 80-43 blowout tonight in Hartford.

The game marks the 80th consecutive victory for the Huskies, who improved their record on the season to 5-0.

Sophomores Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson led the way, scoring 23 and 10 points, respectively. Collier missed her first shot, then hit all 11 of her attempts to finish 11-for-12, plus 1-for-1 from the foul line. Samuelson was 8-for-1 from the flor including one three-pointer.

"Two things in life are automatic," UConn coach Geno Auriemma joked after the game, "you throw the ball to Napheesa and she's going to score, and throw it to the guy she's guarding on the other end, and they're going to score. You can count on those two things."

Junior Gabby Williams had a strong all-around game, racking up her second consecutive double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds, plus four assists and four steals.

Chattanooga scored the first five points of the game, and led 14-13 with four minutes left in the first quarter before UConn went on an 8-0 run to close the quarter with a 21-14 lead.

The Mocs hit 5-of-15 three pointers in the first half, with 3-of-5 coming from Lakelyn Boudin. However, they only hit 1-of-16 in the second half, as UConn increased their perimeter pressure.

Chattanooga is now 3-6 on the season. Jasmine Joyner, Queen Alford, Lakelyn Boudin, and Chelsey Shumpert all had nine points to lead the Mocs.

UConn enters a difficult stretch beginning Thursday with DePaul at home, followed by games with Texas at Mohegan Sun Arena and Notre Dame at Purcell Pavilion.

Auriemma took a philosophical approach to the upcoming games:

"I hope these ranked teams are as good as everybody says they are because we need to get our butts beat soon and bad so some of our guys will co