STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Timing is everything, and for Seton Hall, it couldn't have been worse.

Top-ranked Connecticut rebounded from its first loss with its best defensive effort of the season, routing the Pirates 86-34 Saturday night.

"It seems like we always catch them at a great time," Seton Hall coach Phyllis Mangina said. "I can't say enough about how physical they are. They stepped up on the press and pounded us inside."

Swin Cash led a 23-0 run during a six-minute burst in the first half that put UConn ahead 31-6. Cash finished with a game-high 17, getting six in the early run.

The Huskies (20-1, 10-0 Big East) lost three days earlier to No. 4 Tennessee in a game that came down to the final play.

Still stinging, the Huskies came out hoping to get back on track in a hurry, but the Pirates (7-11, 1-7) spread their offense and temporarily slowed the UConn. Susan Murray had two quick buckets for the Pirates, who trailed just 8-6 after eight minutes.

"The motor was running," said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. "We just couldn't seem to get it out of park."

Sue Bird's 3-pointer with 11:46 left in the half started the 23-0 run as the Huskies shifted into high gear and never looked back.

The Huskies built a 41-8 lead at halftime, a season-low point total for a UConn opponent and a season-high margin for the Huskies.

The overmatched Pirates shot just 27 percent from the floor in the first period and their 20 first-half turnovers resulted in 24 UConn points.

"Coming off the Tennessee loss, you want to come into this game working on things you want to improve on," said Cash. "I think our team did a great job."

In the one practice since the Tennessee loss, the Huskies focused almost exclusively on rebounding. They outrebounded the Pirates 36-29, getting 20 on the offensive boards. Cash, Stacy Hansmeyer and Kelly Schumacher each had six rebounds.

"I definitely wanted to focus more on rebounding," said Schumacher. "I think we did as a team."

Schumacher and Shea Ralph finished with 13 points for UConn.

Murray had 11 points for Seton Hall and fouled out with seven minutes to play.

Seton Hall finished with a season-high 38 turnovers. The Huskies had 21 steals, six by Sue Bird.

"If you turn it over, you can't shoot," said Mangina. "Slowing this team down if very tough. We just couldn't keep them off the glass."