Rutgers pulls off upset of No. 1 Connecticut

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Coach C. Vivian Stringer could think of only one way to describe Epiphanny Prince’s night against No. 1 Connecticut.

“I don’t think her game was anything less than spectacular,” Stringer said.

Prince scored 27 of her career-high 33 points in the second half and No. 7 Rutgers handed Connecticut its first loss of the season, 73-71, on Tuesday.

Kia Vaughn added 14 points and Matee Ajavon had 13 for Rutgers (19-3, 9-1 Big East Conference), which ended Connecticut’s 34-game regular-season winning streak. It was Rutgers’ first victory over a top-ranked opponent during the regular season since beating Louisiana State on Jan. 5, 2005.

Renee Montgomery scored 24 points and Tina Charles added 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Connecticut (21-1, 8-1). The Huskies, who were the last unbeaten team in Division I basketball, had last lost in the regular season on Jan. 15, 2007, against North Carolina.

“We lost our composure,” Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma said. “Plain and simple we played dumb at times.”

Despite losing 17 of the first 18 meetings with Connecticut, Rutgers has evened out the rivalry lately. The Scarlet Knights have taken five of the last eight games between the teams, including a victory in the Big East tournament championship last season.