Senior Day Big For 100 Reasons

The UConn women, already in possession of the all-time NCAA Division record for consecutive victories in basketball (90), will try to secure another unique milestone Saturday by winning  their 100^th consecutive home game against St. John’s.

    It was also be Senior Night for Tiffany Hayes and for seven team managers.

   “I can tell you that is not something you think about doing when you come to college,” Caroline Doty said. “But you know what? Do to be able to have a chance to do it, on Senior Night? Good for Tiffany.”

    UConn has not lost in Connecticut since the 2007 Big East tournament against Rutgers. The number also includes postseason games played in Hartford and Storrs because they are considered home venues. The Huskies have played 32 ranked teams during the streak.

   “You never want to lose in front of your home fans,” said Hayes, who also did not lose a home game in high school in Florida. “You have the how crowd, your friends and family. You don’t want someone to come in and ruin that all for you.”

    The Kentucky men hold the NCAA Division I record for basketball (129) and that’s held since 1955. Miami football won 58 straight home games from 1985-94.

  “We tell all of our players that everyone wins their home game, although we know that isn’t the case,” Geno Auriemma said. “But it’s the teams that win their road games that win championships. We just try to take care of the first part [winning at home] … But it’s not as easy as some people make it out to be.”

     Hayes comes into the game ranked 12^th all-time in career scoring at UConn with 1,655 points. She needs 23 to tie Shea Ralph for 10^th and 45 to pass Ann Strother into the Top 10. If Hayes has a strong postseason, she has a chance to also surpass Svetlana Abrosimova for ninth (1,865), although Abrosimova played only 127 games at UConn. Hayes will play her 143^rd game Saturday.

   “It’s incredible for me to think that I have the chance to do something like that,” Hayes said. “When I came here, I just expected to be a role player. It’s amazing when you think about it.”

        Senior Day ceremonies begin at 6:44 p.m., prior to the contest against St. John’s.  UConn is asking fans to arrive at Gampel Pavilion early and be in their seats for the ceremony.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:06 p.m.