UConn Women’s Basketball Dominates Notre Dame in Decisive Victory

STORRS, CT — The UConn women’s basketball team ended its three-game losing streak against Notre Dame in a decisive fashion on Monday at Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies, who last defeated the Fighting Irish on December 5, 2021, dominated the competition with an impressive 85-47 victory, improving their record to 19-0 this season. UConn has now extended its winning streak to 35 games, dating back to the previous season.

One of the standout performances came from Sarah Strong, who reached the 1,000-point milestone in just 59 games. This achievement places her among an elite group in UConn history, as only Maya Moore and Paige Bueckers accomplished the feat faster, doing so in 55 games.

“I would love to see if anybody has scored a 1,000 points by taking less shots than she’s taking,” said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. “She’s so efficient. I’m not surprised that she’s gotten to a thousand this quickly, because it’s consistent every night.”

Strong also recorded her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Azzi Fudd contributed 15 points, while KK Arnold added 12 points and five assists. The Huskies’ dominance was evident throughout the game, as they outscored Notre Dame in the paint 44-24 and outrebounded them 39-24.

Key Moments and Highlights

The game started with UConn taking control early. In the first quarter, the Irish shot just 3 for 14 from the field, with their first field goal coming via Cassandre Prosper’s 4-foot hook shot with over four minutes remaining. Meanwhile, the Huskies dominated in the paint, outscoring Notre Dame 14-4 in the opening period.

Azzi Fudd continued her impressive performance, completing a 3-point play to put UConn up 11-1. She remains perfect from the free-throw line this season, going 31-for-31.

Notre Dame struggled to find their rhythm, with more than six minutes passing before their first field goal. The Irish were severely undermanned in the front court, and Hannah Hidalgo led the way with 16 points. However, Cassandre Proper, who had averaged 19 points in the past 10 games, was held to just 12 points.

Game Progression

In the second quarter, both teams scored 16 points, but UConn maintained a strong lead. Sarah Strong was instrumental, contributing 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals, two assists, and two blocks. The Huskies also outperformed Notre Dame in turnovers, scoring nine points off the Irish’s six steals.

By the third quarter, UConn had extended their lead to 17 points, outscoring the Irish 10-2 to start the period. Ashlyn Shade and KK Arnold each hit a 3-pointer, further widening the gap. The Huskies’ ability to capitalize on turnovers was key, as they scored 14 points off such opportunities.

Coach Auriemma’s Perspective

Coach Geno Auriemma praised the team’s performance, noting that UConn has been playing with a deep bench. He mentioned that he has only used seven players against Notre Dame, raising questions about whether he might shorten his bench during tournament time.

“Sarah doesn’t go two or three games where it comes up empty… kind of like Paige and Maya, you know?” Auriemma said.

Final Thoughts

UConn’s victory was a statement of dominance, showcasing their depth, efficiency, and overall strength. With a perfect record this season and a historic performance from Sarah Strong, the Huskies are proving why they remain one of the top teams in women’s college basketball.