After a 94-47 win over Butler on Sunday evening, the UConn women’s basketball team is 13-0; the first time that has happened to the program since 2017-2018.
Sophomore Sarah Strong and the Big East Player of the Week finished the game leading the program with 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
However, when one takes a momentary pause from their regular schedule, like the Huskies did with their recent holiday break, it’s a no-brainer to most that it takes a while to get back into the swing of things.
This seemed to be the case at the beginning of the first quarter on Sunday night in Indianapolis, Ind.
In the beginning moments of the first frame, it appeared as if Butler was commanding the court, drawing up the first four field goals of the game on the scoreboard. However, at the midway point of the first frame, the Huskies took matters into their own hands, doing what they’ve been doing the entire season.
From that point of the game, the Huskies took the ball and ran with it.
Big East Freshman of the Week, Blanca Quiñonez and graduate guard Azzi Fudd were integral to changing the tide of the game in favor of Connecticut.
Fudd and Quiñonez finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while proving themselves to be the focal point of UConn’s offense alongside Strong.
At the end of the first frame, the Huskies were on a 20-2 run, and Quiñonez and Fudd each grabbed seven points apiece.
The main catalyst behind that offensive run, though?
Connecticut’s persistent defense that has been showcased time and time again this season.
The Huskies’ defense was the name of the game forcing turnovers from Butler.
Over the first and second quarters of the game, Butler racked up a total of 19 turnovers, which the Huskies scored a total of 32 points off them.
“It’s kind of been what we’ve done now, where we’ve been really good at forcing turnovers and then capitalizing on them.” Head Coach Geno Auriemma said at the half to the TNT broadcast, “We’ve got a group that really likes to play like that; they want to be aggressive.”
Auriemma emphasized that the Huskies knew that the faster they could make the game, the easier it would be to take down the Bulldogs’ defense.
At the end of the first half the score was 54-22, Huskies.
Moments before the third quarter in a TNT interview, head coach of the Bulldogs, Austin Parkinson, described that in terms of their turnovers, “UConn wears you down.”
With a hefty lead of 32 point at their disposal, Connecticut continued to pepper Butler in the front court and utilized their depth throughout their bench to keep a steady lead.
Players like Ayanna Patterson had the chance to put their game on full display.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind. Patterson grabbed a season-high of five points and four rebounds in 10 minutes on the hardwood.
In addition, players like Jana El Alfy, KK Arnold and Allie Ziebell all tied up for nine points on the day.
Throughout the rest of the second half, it was apparent the game would end in the Huskies’ favor.
Connecticut finished the game shooting 59.1% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
With over 100 friends and family in attendance, Ashlynn Shade also had a tremendous outing in her homecoming game notching six points and three assists.
On the TV broadcast from TNT, Shade’s mother, Casey Shade, was interviewed and mentioned how she was hosting Fudd’s family at their house in Noblesville, Ind. C. Shade highlighted that the best part of the UConn women’s basketball team and their family members, is how it’s like one big family.
“It just means everything, just because I love my family so much and for them to support me like this […] it’s super special.” Shade said to TNT postgame.
Next up, the Huskies will continue their Big East road trip to put a cherry on top for the year 2025. Connecticut is set to take on the Providence Friars on New Years Eve from Amica Mutual Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. and Husky fans can tune in on Peacock.