It didn't take very long to see that Tiffany Hayes had an extra jump in her step for Tuesday night's NCAA tournament second-round game.

Hayes was only credited for six rebounds and three of the Huskies' 23 offensive rebounds. But she set the tone for the game early on, soaring to snare rebounds on both ends of the floor. She also played a key role offensively in the 16-2 first-half run and 19-1 run in the second half.

"I think it was because the way we crashed the boards tonight," Hayes said after UConn's 64-40 win over Purdue. "It was our goal, getting as many offensive/defensive rebounds as we could. When we are fighting each other to get rebounds, everything else is going to come."

UConn coach Geno Auriemma noticed Hayes positive body language early on.

"Tiffany is a tough matchup," Auriemma said. "She is too quick and there is not a lot to her so it is hard to find her. When Tiffany makes up her mind to offensive rebound, it is hard to keep her from doing that."

Purdue coach Sharon Versyp didn't disagree with Auriemma.

"If you can shoot the 3, have the quickness to put the ball down and be able to get to the hole, it is very difficult to defend," Versyp said. "In transition we were getting to the point and we weren't getting out on her. She knocked down shots and that's what great players do."