The No. 1 UConn women’s basketball team (19-0, 9-0) delivered a dominant performance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-6, 4-3), securing an 85-47 victory in a second-half showdown. The win showcased the depth and talent of the Huskies, with all five starters contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Key Performers

Sarah Strong emerged as the standout player for UConn, leading the way with a double-double and reaching 1,000 career points. In just 32 minutes on the court, the North Carolina native scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked three shots, and recorded three steals. Her efficiency was impressive, as she made seven of eight field goal attempts (87.5%) and hit one of four three-pointers (25%).

Azzi Fudd followed closely behind with 15 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Over 37 minutes, the senior shot 77.8% from inside the arc but struggled from beyond the three-point line, missing four of her five attempts.

In addition to Strong and Fudd, the rest of the starting lineup contributed solid performances:

• KK Arnold finished with 12 points.
• Serah Williams added 11 points.
• Ashlynn Shade recorded 10 points.

Notre Dame Head Coach Niele Ivey praised Arnold, stating, “She is a spark plug; she made a couple of big threes, she had a big three in the second half. She’s a facilitator; she does a great job of pressuring the ball and she plays with a lot of heart.”

Team Performance

UConn’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, shooting 74.4% from the field, 25% from beyond the arc, and 64.3% from the free-throw line. The team’s ability to score inside the paint was a key factor in their dominance, as they scored 44 points in the paint compared to Notre Dame’s 24. Additionally, UConn turned 15 turnovers into 20 points, while Notre Dame managed only four points off 12 turnovers.

On the other side, Notre Dame struggled offensively, making just 50% of their field goals and 6.3% of their three-point attempts. Two players, Hannah Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper, were the only ones to reach double digits, scoring 16 and 12 points respectively.

Looking Ahead

The Huskies are set to face the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East showdown on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. This game will be another test of UConn’s depth and resilience.

Key Takeaways from the Game

Three-Point Issues

One of the most notable aspects of the game was UConn’s struggles from beyond the arc. For the second consecutive year, the Fighting Irish limited Connecticut’s three-point shooting. Heading into halftime, the team had only made two of 13 attempts (15.4%). Overall, UConn shot 25% from three-point range, making six of 24 attempts.

Head Coach Geno Auriemma expressed frustration with the team’s approach, stating, “I think in the first half, we were just trying too hard to be perfect, to win the game perfectly instead of just playing.” He also criticized the final possession of the first half, where the team failed to capitalize on a wide-open buzzer-beater.

Off-the-Bench Players

UConn’s bench played a crucial role in sealing the victory. Players like Kayleigh Heckel and Blanca Quiñonez stepped up in the second half, helping to put the game away.

Heckel, a transfer from USC, contributed nine points, a rebound, an assist, and a steal in just 12 minutes. She made one of two short-range shots and went two-for-two from beyond the arc. Auriemma noted her improvement as a shooter, saying, “Kayleigh was never really known as a three-point shooter and I think she’s worked really, really hard at it.”

Quiñonez, a freshman from Ecuador, added eight points, four rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. She made four of 11 field goal attempts (36.4%) but missed all four of her three-point attempts.