Memorable first dance for UConn's Hartley

STORRS, Conn. -- Bria Hartley has had her fair share of big games and big moments.

Whether it was scoring 51 points for North Babylon in the Suffolk AA championship game last year or hitting a critical three-pointer for Connecticut against Baylor in November, the Huskies' freshman point guard seems to be developing an ice-water-in-the-veins mentality.

That mental toughness carried over into the NCAA Tournament at Gampel Pavilion Sunday. Hartley contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and zero turnovers as top-seeded Connecticut earned a 75-39 win over No. 16 Hartford in a first-round game.

It was her first NCAA Tournament game, but there were no pregame jitters for Hartley. She said playing a challenging regular-season schedule and being tested in practice every day by the likes of three-time All-American Maya Moore and Tiffany Hayes has done more than enough to prepare her for her sport's biggest stage.

"I've always said if you're prepared, there's no need to be nervous," Hartley told Newsday. "I think the coaches get us prepared every game. I don't think I had any jitters. I was just excited to play."

Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma wasn't as confident. "The one I was worried about was Bria," he said. "I was worried about her because she has the tendency to get excitable."

His fears were put to rest as Hartley was one of five players in double figures. She was more impressed with her improved ballhandling skills than her point total, though.

"That's definitely something I wanted to improve on since the beginning of the season," she said. "I definitely had a lot of silly turnovers and was making those freshman mistakes. As the year went on, I got a lot better."

Hartley's talent wasn't the only thing that helped her become a starter for UConn. Other factors were the absence of junior guard Caroline Doty, who was lost for the season after tearing an ACL in the offseason, and the transfer of forward Samarie Walker to Kentucky, which left Auriemma with only nine healthy players.

"It's been a really big challenge for the younger players to have to grow up so fast and play a lot," said Moore, who had 12 points. "Because even if they're messing up, they couldn't look back and think they were going to get subbed out; they had to play through it. There was no one to bring in for them."

Moore has been impressed with Hartley's quick development. "When she's looking to attack, she's more assertive and sure of her shot selection and knowing how and when she can score," she said. "She's done a great job of being really efficient when she's on the attack."

Moore added that limiting her turnovers was an important step for Hartley.

"It's something that we need from her, to be solid with the ball," she said. "It was a great step forward and a great first game, and hopefully she can continue to build on it."

Connecticut (33-1) will host No. 9 Purdue (21-11) in a second-round game Tuesday.

With 34 games under her belt, does anyone still consider Hartley a freshman?

"There's no class anymore," Moore said. "It's the same players who have gone through a whole season together so we have plenty of experience."