For a brief moment, there was a glimmer of hope. But needless to say, it was a fleeting moment.

Down 11 against the University of Connecticut, Marquette watched as the Huskies' star forward, Maya Moore, headed to the bench after collecting her third foul midway through the first half.

Unfortunately, it didn't matter.

The Huskies would put the game out of reach late in the first, embarking on a 15-0 run that would turn into a 22-point halftime lead and a 30-point lead through much of the second half.

That's often how things go against a team like UConn, top-ranked, undefeated and winners of 55 straight games and counting. They make their mark by making mincemeat of everything in their path.

"They're pretty amazing," head coach Terri Mitchell says. "It's a game you get better from." 

Down 44-20 at half, Mitchell gathered her team and was straight and to the point.

"We looked at it and said, 'we're down 24 to the best team in the country so what can we do about it?'," Mitchell says. "We talked about rebounding and winning the second half."

So her team focused on those smaller things and, though they got drubbed, there is still a lot of optimism for the rest of the season.

Lessons were learned all around. Angel Robinson, the Golden Eagles' talented junior guard, went 0-for-12 from the field. Not exactly a performance Mitchell wants to see, but she can use the tape to help Robinson improve.

 "Angel was driving and instead of kicking, she was trying to shoot and she got frustrated early," Mitchell says. "She never let go of that frustration and she was out of rhythm. She played hard, but she needed to play smarter."

Another junior, Tatiyiana McMorris learned what she was capable of, scoring a career-best 16 points (shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc) with eight rebounds, also a career high.

Plus, Mitchell was able to get some of her reserves significant minutes. It stands to reason that playing a real game against the best team in the country is a slightly better education than going up against your close friends and classmates in practice.

"I hope those things show them that they can do it, but now they just have to finish it," Mitchell says.

The game was just the fourth for Marquette in league play this year -- the Golden Eagles are 2-2 in the Big East -- leaving them plenty of time to get things going.

Especially good for the Golden Eagles, they got the Huskies out of the way early.

"I'm encouraged," Mitchell says. "We're four games in, so we've got a whole lot of basketball to play."

The Golden Eagles are back in action Saturday at Villanova. 

FRIDAY

NORTH OF THE BORDER
The Admirals dropped a tough one Wednesday in Chicago but try to get back to their winning ways tonight with a 7 p.m. skate in Manitoba -- the first of back-to-back meetings with the Moose.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
The Bucks' western swing hasn't gone too well but maybe their fortunes can change tonight against the Warriors. Catch the broadcast on FS Wisconsin, beginning with "Bucks Live" at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

AND ALL THAT JAZZ
Not much turnaround time for the Bucks, who take on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Game time is 8 p.m. And as always, FS Wisconsin has the game.

ROAD TRIP
The Wave travels down to Rockford for a 7 p.m. match against the Rampage.

NORTH OF THE BORDER, PART II
It's the Admirals and Moose in Manitoba ... again. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

BATTLE OF I-43
The UW-Milwaukee women host their in-state and Horizon League rivals, UW-Green Bay at the Klotsche Center. The Phoenix comes into the 2 p.m. game ranked No. 17 in both the AP and coaches' polls.

OUT EAST FOR BIG EAST
The Golden Eagles get back to work with a 2 p.m. game at Villanova, winless in Big East play (10-5 overall).

HORIZON LEAGUE MARCH CONTINUES
After falling to Detroit, 81-65, Thursday night, the UWM men (10-8, 2-4 Horizon League) host Wright State at the U.S. Cellular Arena for a 7 p.m. game. 

SUNDAY

FAITH, FAMILY AND FOOTIE
It's a special day for families as the Milwaukee Wave hosts Rochester at 2 p.m. After the match, stick around for a concert by Christian Music star Matthew West.

RING OUT AHOYA ... NATIONWIDE
Marquette hosts Providence in a Sundat matinee. As part of National Marquette Day, the game will be broadcast at alumni viewing parties across the country. Tip off is at 2 p.m.