Heading into the locker room at halftime UConn coach Geno Auriemma was pretty annoyed with what he saw from his team's offense in the first half - with one notable exception.

UConn attempted 19 free throws in the first half, which is more than the Huskies have attempted in 20 of the first 27 games this season. By game's end UConn attempted 31 foul shots, the most by the Huskies since a 2012 NCAA tournament game against Kentucky.

So was this a case of UConn being more aggressive in attacking the basket or benefiting from whistle-happy officials?

"I think a little bit of both," Auriemma said. "I think the Houston kids they have a little bit of quickness out there and they play hard, they are competing out there, they want to play and they want to play well. We made a concerted effort to put the ball into the lane whether it was throwing it inside or drive it to the basket."

Bria Hartley matched her career high with 10 free-throw attempts and Stefanie Dolson shot nine free throws.