Freshman Williams Comes Off Bench, Shines

The freshman again came off the bench to give the Huskies a lift.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis did Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis things in UConn's NCAA matchup with Rutgers, and by the time it was over, the senior sharpshooter scored 23 points, including five three-pointers and the Huskies won going away, 91-55.

A year from now, Mosqueda-Lewis will be in the WNBA and players like freshman Gabby Williams will be leading UConn back to the tournament. On Monday, Williams came off the bench, played 19 minutes and scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. She did for the Huskies what Mosqueda-Lewis has done so often: provide a spark.

"I definitely feel like if they need me to be that spark, then I've got to be that spark," Williams said, via the Hartford Courant. "It's postseason now. It's no time for just getting minutes. I've got to make it count every time I'm on the court."'

With Breanna Stewart in foul trouble early -- and playing just four minutes in the first half -- coach Geno Auriemma turned to Williams. She didn't disappoint.

"We have pretty good depth," Stokes said. "Gabby can come in, finish around the basket and get some rebounds. We all know our part. So even if Stewie gets in foul trouble, we're going to step and fill that role."

Williams, who added 15 points in 14 minutes during UConn's first-round win over St. Francis Brooklyn, added: "I feel like I've found the things that I'm really good at. And I feel like with the talent on this team, there are only certain things that I only need to do and I feel like I've been doing them well."

On the season, Williams averages 9.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

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