The UConn women’s basketball team secured a decisive 63-42 victory over North Carolina, advancing to the Elite Eight for the 30th time in program history. This win also extends UConn’s impressive 53-game winning streak.
Sarah Strong was a standout performer, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, marking her fourth career 20-10 game in the NCAA tournament. This achievement sets a new record for UConn, as it is the most such games for a player in their first two NCAA tournaments.
UConn’s defense was a key factor in the game, as they outscored North Carolina 37-13 during the second and third quarters. The team also set an NCAA record for single-season steals, reaching a total of 583 before the game concluded.
Despite a challenging first half, where UConn shot only 36% from the field and made just 1-of-9 three-pointers, they managed to turn the tide after trailing 12-11 at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, UConn had established a 28-20 lead.
Azzi Fudd commented on the team’s resilience, stating, “I think this was a great win for us because we had to figure things out when things weren’t necessarily going our way.” Her teammate Ashlynn Shade echoed this sentiment, saying, “I think we became the aggressor coming out of that half and really hit them with the first punch.”
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar led her team with 20 points, but it was not enough to overcome UConn’s strong performance. UConn’s head coach, Geno Auriemma, emphasized the importance of being prepared for a tough game, noting, “You have to go in expecting it to be hard, and you have to expect that the other team is going to make it hard for you to score.”
Looking ahead, UConn’s next challenge will be against No. 6 seed Notre Dame in the upcoming round. This matchup promises to be another test for the team as they aim to continue their successful run in the tournament.
