VILLANOVA, Pa. — Azzi Fudd showcased her skills in leading a remarkable second-half comeback, scoring 25 points, while teammate Sarah Strong contributed 21 points despite facing early foul challenges. The No. 1 ranked UConn Huskies defeated Villanova 83-69 on Wednesday night, marking another significant win in their impressive season.
The Huskies maintain an undefeated record, improving to 28-0 overall and 17-0 in the Big East, which includes a remarkable streak of 44 consecutive victories since their last loss to Tennessee on February 6 of the previous year. Additionally, UConn has dominated conference play, extending their winning streak against Big East opponents to an impressive 64 games across regular-season and tournament play.
Despite UConn’s strength, the game featured standout performances from Villanova. Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats with 26 points, contributing significantly to the team’s effort, while Denae Carter added 21 points. The Wildcats, now 21-6 overall and 14-4 in the conference, saw their six-game winning streak come to an end but proudly became the first team this season to lead UConn at halftime, 40-37.
The turning point came after halftime when UConn surged back. They opened the third quarter with a quick seven-point run, managing to extend their lead to 51-44 early on. Strong faced foul trouble early in the game, but upon her return in the fourth quarter, she scored nine consecutive points, helping to propel UConn ahead by a significant margin of 74-55.
The early moments of the game leaned in favor of Villanova, with UConn trailing before a crucial 3-pointer from Strong helped them gain the upper hand.
Looking ahead, UConn will host Providence on Sunday, while Villanova prepares to take on Marquette, also on Sunday. This matchup continues to showcase the fierce competition within the Big East, paving the way for what promises to be an exciting remainder of the season.