PHILADELPHIA (12/21/03)- Two-time defending national champion Connecticut showed why it is again the front-runner for the NCAA crown with an 87-34 win over Saint Joseph's on Sunday at The Palestra. The Huskies, ranked first in both polls, used a stifling defense to hold the Hawks to just 23.9% shooting from the field and forced 20 turnovers, while a crisp offense led to countless layups and open looks. SJU had its only lead of the contest less than a minute in as a sophomore Maura McBryan's three-pointer put the Hawks ahead, 3-2. The Crimson and Gray hung around for the first five minutes before the talented Huskies pulled away. Leading 8-6 after the first media timeout, Connecticut went on a 16-6 run as Turner and Taurasi combined for 12 of the points to put the visitors up 26-12 with 6:25 to go. The Hawks tried to chip away at the lead but Uconn continued to impress. A Liz Sherwood steal and the ensuing Ashley Battle layup with four-seconds to go put the Huskies ahead, 42-19, at the break. SJU committed 14 first-half turnovers and connected on just six field goals, three from behind the arc. Saint Joseph's cut the deficit to 19 after layups by senior Stephanie Graff and freshman Ayahna Cornish early in the second half but an 18-1 run by Uconn put the game out of reach. McBryan and senior Elizabeth "Hootie" Mohan led SJU with seven points each. The 34 points is the lowest offensive output since the program's first ever contest, a 59-24 loss to then defending national champion Immaculata on January 17, 1974. Sophomore Barbara Turner led Uconn with 19 points (8-for-12 FG) and a game-high nine rebounds, while last year's consensus national player of the year, senior Diana Taurasi, scored 18 on 8-for-10 shooting. The Hawks return to the hardwood on Sunday, December 28 when they host Stony Brook in the annual Hawk Classic at 2 p.m. George Mason takes on Charlotte in the other semifinal, with the winners meeting in Monday's Championship at 4 p.m.