Mon Mar 10 20:35:02 2008

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No. 1 UConn dominates Pitt to roll into Big East finals

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Hartford, CT (Sports Network) - Tina Charles scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds as top-ranked Connecticut steamrolled into the finals of the Big East Tournament with a 74-47 win over Pittsburgh in semifinal play at XL Center.

Renee Montgomery added 15 points for the top-seeded Huskies (31-1), who will play either No. 21 Louisville or No. 16 West Virginia in Tuesday's championship game. Ketia Swanier added 10 points, while Maya Moore scored seven and grabbed six boards.

Shavonte Zellous poured in 11 points to lead fifth-seeded Pitt (22-10), which topped Villanova and Notre Dame to reach the semis. Marcedes Walker added 10 points and nine rebounds, but no other player for the Lady Panthers reached double figures.

The Huskies dominated the first half, opening up a 44-22 lead at intermission thanks to a 19-2 run that stretched the UConn lead from 20-10 to 39-12 with 3 1/2 minutes left before intermission.

The Lady Panthers never got closer than 20 in the second half, and the Huskies cruised to their fourth straight appearance in the Big East finals.