Connecticut's long run is over. The dominant program in women's basketball over the last decade no longer is a Top 10 team.
On a day that New Mexico joined the Associated Press poll for the first time, Connecticut dropped to 11th after splitting two road games, ending a run of 199 straight appearances in the Top 10.
The last time the Huskies were ranked this low was the week of Jan. 25, 1994. They moved to ninth the following week and had been in the Top 10 in every poll since until Monday. UConn won five national championships along the way, including the past three.
NO. 11 CONNECTICUT 76,
GEORGE MASON 44
In Hartford, Conn., Barbara Turner had 14 points to lead Connecticut to a victory over George Mason just hours after the Huskies dropped from the top 10 for the first time in nearly 11 years.
Freshman Charde Houston had 13 points, Nicole Wolff 12 and Ann Strother 11 to go with six rebounds as the Huskies (6-2) capitalized on 22 George Mason turnovers.
Connecticut committed 19 turnovers, but just five in the second half.
UConn took a 36-22 lead into the break by holding the Patriots to one basket in the final seven minutes of the half.
Ashley Battle scored 6 points for UConn. Her final basket, a layup with 5:49 left, gave her 1,000 points for her career.
Jen Daniels had 16 points and Lauren Hediger 13 for George Mason (4-4).
Mel Thomas had eight assists for the Huskies.
George Mason dropped to 1-10 all-time against top-20 foes.
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