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 STORRS, Conn. (AP) - Mel Thomas scored a career-high 23 points to lead No. 9 Connecticut to a season-opening 71-45 victory over Marist on Saturday in the first round of the WNIT.
The sophomore guard was making her fifth start for the five-time national champs and provided a spark in the second half after the Red Foxes had played UConn close. After the Red Foxes outrebounded UConn 22-19 in the first half, coach Geno Auriemma spread his offense in the second half with a lineup mostly of guards to neutralize Marist's post play and Thomas responded.
She finished 7-of-11 from the field, hit four 3-pointers and three steals. She and backcourtmate Ketia Swanier fueled the Huskies' uptempo game. Swanier finished with seven assists and eight rebounds.
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