After putting their 2024 season to a close with a 67-41 win over Providence, the UConn Women’s Basketball team kicked off 2025 with a 77-45 road dub over Marquette.
A matchup in Wisconsin means a homecoming from two players on the Huskies’ squad, KK Arnold and Allie Ziebell.
It was all in a day’s work for Arnold, a native of Germantown, Wisc. The sophomore notched her season high in assists with seven, including 13 points and four rebounds.
“I think the role for KK [Arnold], whether it’s a starting role or coming off the bench role, whatever number of minutes come or when minutes come, has to be exactly what it was today.” Head coach Geno Auriemma said on SNY on the five-foot-nine guard. “I thought today, KK [Arnold] was the KK [Arnold] we need to see every game, for sure.”
According to SNY, Auriemma has emphasized that he would like Arnold to step up for her quad on the offensive side of things.
“Today, I let the game come to me.” Arnold said to SNY postgame when asked about how she felt she performed offensively. “Just reading the game as I should be.”
In addition to Arnold’s performance, the program finished with a season low of five turnovers throughout the entire game and forced 21 turnovers on the Golden Eagles, with consistent defense.
After finding themselves having a first half start versus Providence, it was the complete opposite Wednesday afternoon when the Huskies notched 22 and 21 points in the first and second quarters, respectively.
However, they were without their starting center for a portion of the second frame. Red shirt freshman Jana El Alfy after hurting her lower back after colliding with Marquette players in the beginning moments of the second quarter, although, right before halftime she returned to the bench on her own power and made immense defensive impact to start to second half.
The Egypt native finished the Big East matchup with 10 points and four rebounds.
“More of that aggressive mentality on the defensive side.” Arnold said to SNY when asked about El Alfy’s growth this season. “Just keeping her hands up even though she got in a little bit of foul trouble but just being disciplined and I’m seeing more of that from her, and I can’t wait for these other games to come along to see the growth in her game.
History from the Providence game repeated itself, though as the Huskies struggled with maintaining consistent shooting after returning from the locker room.
In total, Connecticut finished shooting 41.8% from the field and shot 33.3% from beyond the arc.
“When I see them do it every game, then I know they can do it.” Auriemma said on SNY post-game when asked about the consistency of his players. “That’s the part that’s the hardest thing right now in coaching, is to get kids to understand ‘This is why I have to be every day in practice’ and ‘This is why I have to be at every game.’”
Nevertheless, the Huskies found their way in the closing quarter. Three out of the five players who started the game reached double digits, even with an off night from red shirt senior Paige Bueckers.
Auriemma has emphasized in practice how he wants his team to adjust when Bueckers is having an off night, and in this matchup, it was the perfect opportunity to step up for Arnold and freshman Sarah Strong who finished the night with 15 points.
Freshman Ziebell also stepped up, as she’s starting to find her confidence as a collegiate player. The Neenah, Wisc. Native finished with five points and one assist.
“She’s the one that’s got the complete control over whether or not she can be someone that can provide instant offense for us.” Auriemma said on SNY. “She’s such a terrific offense supplier; I just think she defers too much in practice.”
Next up for the Huskies, the squad will hit the road once again to take on the Villanova Wildcats on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and Husky fans can tune into this Big East matchup on SNY.