HARTFORD, Conn. -- Pitt women's basketball coach Agnus Berenato often has said that "in order to be the best, you have to beat the best." Last night, however, the "best" gave the Panthers a dose of reality as perennial powerhouse Connecticut pounded them, 74-47, in a Big East Conference tournament semifinal at the XL Center. The Huskies, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed as well as Division I's No. 1 team, jumped to an 11-1 lead and never were threatened. They were too fast, too big and too deep for the Panthers to handle.

The outcome was not much of a surprise as the Huskies routed the Panthers by 26 points in February at the Petersen Events Center, but at least that game was competitive most of the first half.

This time, the Huskies needed only 13 minutes to build a 20-point lead, and they led, 44-22, at the half.

Berenato said that while she didn't think her 22-10 team played particularly well, it was clear the Huskies were the better team.

"I was disappointed in our performance this evening, but Connecticut came out and they were rolling on all cylinders, and we didn't have an answer for them," Berenato said.

"We didn't lose because Pitt played terrible, Connecticut is a really good team, they were clearly better than us, and there is no shame in losing to them. They are a big-time program, and they are the type of team we want to be.

"We're proud that we made it into the semifinals and for the things we've been able to accomplish this year."

The victory extended Connecticut's winning streak against the Panthers to 22 games while increasing its lead in the series to 36-9. The Huskies are 85-11 in the XL Center, including 10-0 this season.

Connecticut (31-1), which has won 11 of the past 13 Big East tournament titles, will face Louisville tonight for the championship. Louisville beat West Virginia, 67-60, last night.

Regardless of the outcome, the Huskies will no doubt be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and almost assuredly begin play in Bridgeport, Conn.

From the outset, it was clear that the Panthers didn't have much of an answer for Huskies center Tina Charles, who had a game-high 21 points to go with nine rebounds. Junior point guard Renee Montgomery, who had 15 points and three assists, also gave the Panthers trouble.

Yet, perhaps nothing highlights the Huskies' depth and talent more than this: Big East player of the year Maya Moore spent much of the game in foul trouble, contributed little while they built their big lead and finished with seven points, which ended her consecutive games streak of scoring in double figures at 31.

"A lot of people assume we are going to get to the finals, but you just can't assume that in this conference," Montgomery said.

"Pitt is a really good team, they can score a lot of points really quick. We've seen that from them and we didn't want to allow them to get momentum. They just have a lot of offensive threats, and we didn't want to have to try and handle them at the end of a close game."

The loss brought to an end a nice run through the tournament by the Panthers, who beat Villanova, then upset Notre Dame.

It marked the second time in school history that they had won two games in the Big East tournament.

Pitt (22-10) will find out its NCAA tournament fate Monday. The Panthers are projected to be any where from a No. 6 seed to a No. 8 seed.

ESPN's latest projected brackets has Pitt as a No. 7 seed in the New Orleans bracket with a first-round game against No. 10 seed Minnesota.

"I know where I want this program to go, so we have higher goals than just making it to the NCAA tournament," Berenato said.

"And while we are disappointed now, we are really excited about going to the NCAA tournament.

"I'm happy for my seniors; they are warriors, and now we have another opportunity to play in the big dance."