UConn Women's Basketball Overpowers Louisville, Despite Laura Ziegler's Standout Performance
Laura Ziegler, a transfer from Saint Joseph's to Louisville, delivered an impressive double-double, yet her efforts were not enough to stop top-ranked UConn from securing a 79–66 victory on Tuesday night.
Pre-Game Context and Atmosphere
In the days leading up to the first women’s basketball matchup of the Peraton Armed Forces Classic, both teams emphasized toughness and camaraderie. Louisville, ranked 19th, and defending NCAA champion UConn also visited the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, gaining inspiration from the setting.
Louisville's Late Rally
After a slow start, the Cardinals showed determination by shrinking their early 25-point deficit to just ten in the final two minutes. Despite the late surge, they couldn’t complete the comeback against the experienced Huskies.
“First game, obviously it's not like we could have played anyone tougher,” said Louisville coach Jeff Walz. “I thought we did a good job scheduling to make sure we start off seeing where we are. I thought we competed.”
Key Players and Performances
Louisville introduced four new starters, but none found an answer to UConn’s duo of KK Arnold and Sarah Strong, who evenly shared 26 points by halftime. Returning starter Taj Roberts struggled offensively, posting just one point through three quarters before finishing with six points and two assists.
Walz added that Roberts would “come back with a vengeance” in Sunday’s upcoming game.
Final Score
UConn 79, Louisville 66 — a solid win for the defending champions and a valuable learning experience for a retooled Louisville roster.
Author’s Summary: UConn proved its championship form again, overpowering a rebuilding Louisville team that flashed grit but couldn’t overcome an early deficit.