Dec. 27, 2004

Box Score

By PAT EATON-ROBB
Associated Press Writer

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Barbara Turner had 14 points to lead No. 11 Connecticut to a 76-44 victory over George Mason on Monday night, just hours after the Huskies dropped from the top 10 for the first time in nearly 11 years.

Freshman Charde Houston had 13 points, Nicole Wolff 12 and Ann Strother 11 to go with six rebounds as the Huskies (6-2) capitalized on 22 George Mason turnovers.

Connecticut committed 19 turnovers, but just five in the second half.

UConn took a 36-22 lead into the break by holding the Patriots to one basket in the final seven minutes of the half.

Ashley Battle scored 6 points for UConn. Her final basket, a layup with 5:49 left, gave her 1,000 points for her career.

Jen Daniels had 16 points and Lauren Hediger 13 for George Mason (4-4)

Connecticut had not been outside the top 10 since the week of Jan. 25, 1994. The Huskies moved to ninth the following week. UConn spent 94 weeks at No. 1 during its run, and won five national championships - including the last three.

Mel Thomas, making the first start of her career, had eight assists for the Huskies.

George Mason dropped to 1-10 all-time against top-20 opponents and 0-2 against UConn.