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The UConn women’s basketball expected to be tested by No. 9 Maryland Monday in the Jimmy V Classic. The test was one that the second-ranked Huskies would pass with a steady display of grit and determination, especially from their post players.

Stefanie Dolson had 14 points and eight rebounds and Breanna Stewart had 13 points and six rebounds to lead UConn to a 63-48 win over No. 9 Maryland before 11,645 at the XL Center.

The Huskies (7-0) have won 20 straight games against ACC opponents.

Brianna Banks added 11 points for UConn (3-of-4 3-pointers). Kelly Faris added eight points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a career-high eight steals for UConn.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who did not play against Colgate Nov. 28 due to a concussion, did not play in the second half Monday due to a left quad contusion.

UConn made its second straight appearance – fifth overall – in the event. It was the second appearance for Maryland. However, this game carried special meaning for Terrapins coach Brenda Frese, whose 4-year-old son, Tyler, is battling leukemia.

Tianna Hawkins has 14 points and eight rebounds to lead Maryland (4-2).

STAR OF THE GAME: Dolson. She was physical. She was productive. And she proved to be the best post player in the court.

KEYS TO THE WIN: The Huskies went scoreless for a stretch of 5:33 in the half as Maryland closed to within 17-15 with 6:02 left. But Stewart answered with seven straight points and Mosqueda-Lewis followed with a 3-pointer to key a 16-5 run to end the half. … Brianna Banks hit a 3-pointer with 12:40 left and Bria Hartley had a three-point play to push UConn’s lead back to 46-33 in the second half. … The Huskies outscored the Terrapins 32-16 in the paint. … UConn forced 26 turnovers. … Maryland All-American Alyssa Thomas finished with six points (2-of-12 FG) and eight turnovers.

UP NEXT: Thursday vs. No. 10 Penn State at Gampel Pavilion, 7 p.m. (SNY)

Rich

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Breanna Stewart has nine points and four rebounds and Stefanie Dolson has eight points and four rebounds to lead UConn. Tianna Hawkins has eight points and four rebounds for Maryland.

The Huskies went scoreless for a stretch of 5:33 in the half as Maryland closed to within 17-15 with 6:02 left. But Stewart answered with seven straight points and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis followed with a 3-pointer to key a 16-5 run to end the half.

The Terrapins are 7-of-21 shooting and have committed 18 turnovers.

Rich

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No. 11 Maryland at No. 2 UConn women

WHEN: Tonight, 7

WHERE: XL Center, Hartford (16,294)

RECORDS: Maryland 4-1, UConn 6-0

ON THE AIR: ESPN2 (Dave O’Brien and Doris Burke); WTIC-AM 1080 (Bob Joyce and Debbie Fiske)

STORY LINES

RETURNING: Mosqueda-Lewis returned to practice Friday and will return to the starting lineup tonight. She missed the first game of her career against Colgate last Wednesday due to a concussion sustained against No. 14 Purdue Nov. 24.

IN RESERVE: Stewart will start for the Huskies tonight. Doty’s string of 53 straight starts will come to an end as she will be used in a reserve role.

INJURY RIDDLED: The Terrapins are down to seven scholarship players and one walk-on after losing Mincy. They lost sophomore starting point guard Brene Moseley to a torn ACL i Oct. 21 and reserve center Essence Townsend to a torn ACL Nov. 5.

Go here for more.

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Red-shirt senior Caroline Doty has three times torn the ACL in her left knee since Sept. 7, 2007. It was a second tear that robbed her of the final 22 games in 2008-09. The third tear robbed her of the entire 2010-11 season.

But the injuries did not rob Doty of her competitive fire or her leadership ability. There are players who might have walked away and moved on after four years. Not Doty. Not with a chance to win another national championship available for the taking.

Tonight, when the Huskies host No. 11 Maryland in the Jimmy V Classic at the XL Center, Doty will play in the 100th game of her career.

“I like to think that this will be the best year, but you won’t be able to determine that until it’s over,’’ Doty said. “We’re going at it hard every day, taking it one day at a time, and making each day worthwhile.’’

Doty is a combined 94-5 (.949) in games that she has played. She was a member of back-to-back undefeated national championship teams in her first two seasons (2008-09, 2009-10) and has been to the Final Four in four straight years.

Through the first six games this season, UConn coach Geno Auriemma has been extremely pleased with the way she has played. He said Sunday that he has not seen her look this good since her sophomore season in 2009-10 when she guided the Huskies to a 39-0 finish.

Doty is averaging 5.2 points and 2.5 assists in 17.3 minutes this season, shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range (7-of-16). Yet, it is her leadership that far outweighs any of her statistics.

“My role is that I’m someone that will show up every single day to work really hard and be there for my teammates,’’ Doty said. “I’m not going to be the first scorer. I’m going to look for which of my teammates needs the ball at the right time. If Kaleena (Mosqueda-Lewis) is open, I’m going to get it to her. If Stef (Dolson) or (Breanna Stewart) need the ball down low, I’ll get it to them. I’m going to be the first to run over and help someone off the floor after a hustle play. All in all, I just want to have as much fun as possible.’’

Not only has Doty played well on the court, she has too been blessed with good health. And that just might be the most encouraging part of her season so far.

“This is the longest I’ve been healthy since I’ve been here,’’ Doty said. “I’m comfortable. I know where I’m supposed to be. I know what my role is. I have great relationships with my coaches and teammates. I’m having a lot more fun since I don’t have that mentality, `Am I hurting today? Do I have to worry my knee is feeling weak? Do I have to go to rehab?’ I feel freer and it’s a great feeling. I’m having fun and I hope that shows on the court and I hope my teammates see that I’m a different player than last year in a good way. I want it to end in a championship.’’

Rich