Newtowners Appreciate Success Of Record-Setting UConn Women

By Andy Hutchison

The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team set an NCAA record for consecutive wins with its 89th straight triumph on Tuesday night. The Huskies topped Florida State 93-62 at the XL Center in Hartford to break a tie with the UCLA men, who had held the mark of most consecutive wins since going unbeaten during a stretch of 88 games from 1971 to 1974.

The Huskies certainly have plenty of followers here in Newtown.

“I think it’s great. I’ve been following women’s basketball for many, many years. I watch the women as much as I watch the men,” said Newtown’s Bob Buchanan, who has two nephews at UConn.

Even those who don’t follow the Huskies, or sports at all for that matter, appreciate the magnitude of the feat.

“I think it’s great. It’s impressive that it happened in our home state,” said Newtown’s Sean Devaney.

“I think it’s pretty cool to be a part of,” Chris Devaney added.

The Huskies set the mark before a sellout crowd of 16,294. The two-time defending NCAA champions have won six NCAA titles since 2000.

“It’s fantastic to live in a state that has such a fantastic women’s basketball program,” Newtown’s MaryAnn Murtha said.