Maybe No. 1 seed UConn had a bit of rust from a 12-day rest. Maybe, despite their experience, the Huskies came out a bit nervous in their opening game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies, who generally score in bunches, were up only 8-2 on 4-of-10 shooting with 4:26 left in the first quarter of their first-round game against No. 16 seed UTSA on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. By the end of the first quarter, the lead had grown to 16-6, despite UConn making just 7 of 18 shots.

And the Huskies, once they got some breathing room, were on their way to a 90-52 win as they took the first step toward defending their national title and seeking the 13th in program history. For UConn, it was their 51st consecutive win overall and the 32nd straight year they have advanced past the first round of the tournament.

“Having that long of a break, we definitely came out slow,” UConn sophomore star Sarah Strong told ESPN after the game. “We won’t let that happen again, but I’m glad we pulled it out.”

In the second quarter, the Huskies (35-0) did what they have done all season – gang up on their opponent in that frame. They outscored the Roadrunners 29-8, making 11 of 20 shots (55%) and turning their defense into offense.

UConn scored 15 points off 10 UTSA turnovers in the second quarter, adding eight points on five offensive rebounds.

The Huskies achieved that domination without two starters, Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold, for much of the half. Fudd didn’t play in the second quarter after three first-quarter fouls, and Arnold played only two minutes in that frame after picking up her third foul.

UConn held UTSA (18-16) to just 27.3% shooting in the first half (6 of 22) and took a 48-14 lead into halftime.

Strong said the Huskies were not flustered without Fudd and Arnold.

“That’s something we do in practice – different groups that are out there,” Strong, a first-team All-American, told ESPN. “So we’re used to playing alongside each other.”

Fudd returned in the third quarter to score seven points as the Huskies took a 75-30 lead. But as is typical in the fourth quarter when UConn has a huge lead, Fudd and Strong sat out, giving the starring role to the supporting cast.

Kayleigh Heckel, Allie Ziebell and Blanca Quinonez each got extended playing time because of the foul trouble. Heckel took over at point guard and led the team with five assists while contributing 11 points. Quinonez scored 15 and had five rebounds as the bench scored 36 points.

Strong led the Huskies with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Ashlynn Shade scored her 1,000th career point, finishing with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

For the Roadrunners, Ereauna Hardaway, Damara Allen and Cheyenne Rowe each scored 11 points.

In the second round, UConn will play No. 9 Syracuse, which defeated No. 8 Iowa State 72-63, on Monday in Storrs for a berth in the Sweet 16.

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