SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) -- Even in games that turn out to be one-sided, there are moments that determine the outcome.

Sue Bird stepped up for No. 1 Connecticut (7-0) when that moment came against Seton Hall (3-3) on Wednesday night in the Big East Conference opener for both schools.

Bird hit 3-pointers to start and end a 13-point run late in the first half as the Huskies posted a 88-45 victory, their 12th straight over the Pirates.

"One of the things Sue has done in the seven games we have played she has had a knack for making shots at really important times," coach Geno Auriemma said. "That's something you can't teach or coach."

Connecticut struggled at times playing its last game until Dec. 23, but it looked very much like six-time defending conference champions closing the game with a 26-3 run.

"We've got the type of players who understand when its a big time in a game, because there are moments when the game can go either way," Auriemma said. "It can start to slip away. I think our players understand that."

Bird finished with a career-high 14 points, hitting four of her five 3-pointers. All five Connecticut starters finished in double figures with Shea Ralph adding 13, Svetlana Abrosimova and Swin Cash 12 apiece and Paige Sauer 10.

Abrosimova also had 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Ralph added nine assists for the Huskies, who shot 71 percent from the field in the second half, 22-of-31. They were 62 percent for the game, while limiting Seton Hall to 39 percent, 20-of-51.

Auriemma had a few well chosen words for the team at the half.

"I knew they would respond," he said. "I knew they don't like it when things get too close and they feel we don't have control."

Arminda Moreno had 13 of her 15 points in the second half for Seton Hall. Leslie Ardon added nine and Starr Fuller eight.

Connecticut only trailed in the opening moment, but Seton Hall managed to stay close for the opening 13 minutes. A six-point run that Ardon capped with a turnaround jumper got the Pirates within 24-19 with 7:13 to play.

Bird then took over, bringing the ball upcourt quickly and hitting a jumper from the top of the key. Abrosimova sandwiched a free throw and a layup around a layup by Ralph, and Bird capped the run hitting her third 3-pointer in as many tries after a layup by Kelly Schumacher.

"They gave me a lot of room," Bird said of her 3-pointer to start the run. "I was a little far out, but I knew I was open."

Connecticut, which was averaging 89.7 points, only led 37-23 at the half.

The Huskies get their game in full gear until four minutes into the second half. After Moreno hit a layup to cut the lead to 44-32, Connecticut went on a 26-10 run to open a 70-42 lead.

"We played very good for 20 minutes, but you can't play against the No. 1 team in the nation for only 20 minutes," Seton Hall coach Phyllis Mangina said. "I felt we did what we wanted to do for 20 minutes and then we lost our focus."

Connecticut came into the game after posting wins over nationally ranked Illinois and Penn State.

The Huskies have won both the last six Big East regular season and tournament titles.