SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A month into the season Connecticut doesnt look quite as vulnerable as many people thought. Not after beating No. 2 Notre Dame. Not after winning its 83rd straight game.Two days after narrowly earning the top-ranking in The Associated Press poll, the Huskies easily secured that title on the court with a comfortable 72-61 victory over the Fighting Irish on Wednesday night, their third straight victory over a ranked team.Coach Geno Auriemma said the Huskies (8-0) wouldnt know their winning streak stretched to more than two years if not for the media.I would think if this was the first time our program had ever been here, wed be acting a little bit different. You dont want to sound like you dont appreciate it -- but we did win 90 in a row, Auriemma said.Napheesa Collier scored 14 of her 20 points in the second half after playing just nine minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, Gabby Williams had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, and Katie Lou Samuelson added 18 points to pace the Huskies.The Huskies trailed for about 2 minutes in late in the second quarter, but played with the lead most of the game as they controlled the inside, outscoring the Irish 42-30 in the paint and finishing with a 35-32 edge in rebounding.I was really disappointed in everything, execution, the inability to get the ball to Bri. Completely ineffective offensively, Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said.Brianna Turner led the Irish (8-1) with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Lindsay Allen added 11 points.After Notre Dame tied it at 42 with just under 2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Huskies forced a pair of turnovers leading to layups by Samuelson and Williams. Collier added a pair of free throws to give Connecticut led 50-43 at the end of the third quarter.We knew they were going to hit us hard at times and we just had to hit back harder, Williams said.Auriemma said that stretch was the key.In that moment when it could have gone into the fourth quarter differently, I think it kept our confidence level high and may have put a damper on them, he said.The Huskies stretched it to 65-54 on a 3-point play by Samuelson with 3:06 left to put the game away.Auriemma said he wont get too excited about the victory.I know this is Dec. 7th and theres a long way to go between now and the end of the season, he said.BIG PICTUREUConn: The Huskies have beaten five ranked teams, including No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 Baylor, and have staked their claim as the clear No. 1.Notre Dame: The Irish faced adversity for the first time this season and couldnt respond as they struggled, going 3 of 14 on 3-pointers and making just 4 of 8 free throws. The Irish lost to the Huskies for a sixth straight time and have work to do if they hope to challenge Connecticut by the end of the season. No one on the roster has ever beaten the Huskies.POLL IMPLICATIONS:Two days after narrowly passing the Irish in the poll, the Huskies showed there is no doubt who deserves to be No. 1. The Irish lost to the Huskies by the same score as Baylor, so it could be a tossup as far as who is No. 2 next week.TIP-INS: The game marked the 57th time the top-rated team in The Associated Press poll faced No. 2. The No. 1 team is 36-21. ... The last time UConn was No. 1 and lost to a No. 2 was against Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament semifinal in 2001, when the Irish rallied back after trailing by 16 points in the first half to beat the Huskies 90-75 en route to the national championship. ... The Huskies have won 27 straight road games. The record is 30 straight set by UConn (2007-11) and matched by Notre Dame (2011-15). ... The Huskies have won34 straight against ACC teams.UP NEXTUConn: The Huskies stay on the road to play at Kansas State, ending a streak of three straight games against ranked teams. They then play No. 12 Ohio State in Storrs on Dec. 19.Notre Dame: The Irish, who have played only one true road game, play six straight on the road starting Saturday at No. 16 DePaul. They are then off for finals until playing at Toledo on Dec. 18. Devan Dubnyk Wild Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. J.T. Brown Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Jt-brown-wild-jersey/ . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Alex Stalock Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Jason Zucker Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off.Britains top paulter Holly Bradshaw cannot wait to kick-start her season at the Birmingham Diamond League on Sunday. The 24-year-old from Preston, now based in Cardiff, skipped the indoor season to ensure she was fit and ready for the outdoor campaign in the build-up to the Rio Olympics this summer.Bradshaw has already produced the qualifying mark, but will still need to stay in shape to ensure selection having struggled with several niggling injuries since the London 2012 Games. Ahead of this weekends illustrious showdown at the Alexander Stadium, the Sky Academy Sports Scholar said: This will be my first competition of the season for me so Im super excited to get back out doing what I love.I love competing in the UK, especially Birmingham, as the British crowds are the best. My parents and husband are coming to watch which makes it more special.Competing abroad is great but in the UK they get to see me jump and I knowing theyre in the crowd really spurs me on.2016 is going to be a great year - any year that has an Olympics in it is ultra special. I cant wait to get going and build momentum leading into Rio.Bradshaw will be looking to improve in Brazil on her sixth place at the London Olympics four years ago. She also finished seventh at the Worlld Championships in Beijing last year.dddddddddddd Mo Farah is another Brit in good form in Olympic year To help focus on perfecting her technique and staying fit during the close season, Bradshaw has been in South Africa and more recently the United States for pre-season winter camps.Also competing on the Birmingham stage will be double Olympic champion Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford, the Olympic and world long jump champion looking to extend a winning streak dating back to July last year.Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha is stepping down in distance to race over the rarely-run 600m.WHATS COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS5 JUNE: Holly Bradshaw, Birmingham Diamond League10-16 JUNE: IPC Athletics European Championships in Grosseto, Italy23-26 JUNE: Lucy Garner, National Road Cycling Champs, Stockton-on-Tees Also See: About the Scholarship Meet the athletes Blogs Videos Galleries ' ' '