Connecticut Gets 70th Win in Row

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Virginia Tech showed everyone in women’s college basketball how to compete with No. 1 Connecticut -- for almost a half.

Then the Huskies (31-0) regained their patience and posted their 70th consecutive victory, beating the Hokies, 71-54, Monday in the Big East Conference tournament semifinals.

The Hokies (21-9) led, 25-18, as Connecticut continually forced passes that resulted in 14 turnovers.

“It seemed like everything was rushed [in the first half], and in the second half the pace was more to our liking,” Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma said. “We gave them a chance to double-team us and then found the open guy.”

Connecticut, which is 18 wins away from tying the men’s NCAA record of 88 consecutive victories set by UCLA from 1971-74, is one win from its 10th consecutive conference tournament title.