The top-ranked UConn women’s basketball team opened its title defense with a 79-66 victory over Louisville on Tuesday at the Armed Forces Classic at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
UConn jumped out aggressively, building a 28-point lead early in the game. However, Louisville found its rhythm after halftime and went on a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter, reducing the gap to 10 points with just over two minutes left. The Huskies regained control and closed the match with a solid 6-2 finish to secure the win.
“Shooting four for a thousand from the 3-point line,” head coach Geno Auriemma remarked after the game, referencing UConn’s 4-of-26 performance from beyond the arc.
Auriemma acknowledged the uneven shooting but emphasized his satisfaction with the team’s resilience in a new lineup.
“I don’t want this to be one of those seasons where even wins feel like losses. I mean, we won the game,” he said, noting that while the second-half lapse was frustrating, it was an expected growing pain early in the season.
Author’s Summary: UConn began its championship defense with a gritty win over Louisville, blending dominance with early-season adjustments and lessons for future games.