STORRS, Conn., March 26 (UPI) -- Diana Taurasi scored a career-high 35 points Tuesday night as top-seeded Connecticut beat No. 9 TCU, 81-66, in the second round of the NCAA East Regional.
Taurasi, who had 21 points in the first-round win over Boston University on Sunday, was 12-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, as the Huskies (33-1) extended their winning streak at home to 63 games.
The junior guard went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, and topped her previous career-high of 32 points in the win.
Reserve Ashley Battle chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes, and Jessica Moore added 12 points and nine boards as Connecticut overcame a slow start and a two-point halftime deficit with an 18-2 run to open the second half. The Huskies shot 46 percent (30-of-66) for the game.
Connecticut, which improved to 24-3 all-time on its home court in NCAA tournament games, advances to the "Sweet 16" for the 10th consecutive season. Sunday, they will face fifth-seeded Boston College at Dayton, Ohio.
Sandora Irvin led her team with 19 points and nine rebounds, and Tricia Payne added 14 points for the Lady Frogs (20-14), who were outscored, 48-31, and shot just 29 percent (8-of-28) in the second half.
TCU has never advanced past the second round in school history.
