UConn Women’s Basketball Edges No. 20 Louisville in Season Opener
UConn women’s basketball opened its season with a 79–66 win over No. 20 Louisville in the Armed Forces Classic at the U.S. Naval Academy on Tuesday. The Huskies came out strong and controlled the game from the start, though the Cardinals staged a late rally.
Early Dominance and Scoring Runs
UConn jumped to an 8–0 lead, making eight of its first eleven shots while holding Louisville scoreless for the opening 4 minutes and 43 seconds. By the end of the first quarter, the Huskies were ahead 25–9, with KK Arnold scoring nine points in the opening frame. The defense limited Louisville to just 3 of 18 shooting in those ten minutes.
Louisville’s Response and Second Half
The second quarter saw Louisville cut the lead to 12 after scoring nine quick points, but UConn responded with a 10–2 run and entered halftime up 44–23. The advantage grew to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter before Louisville trimmed it to 10 with just over two minutes left. UConn finished the game with three straight baskets to secure the victory.
Key Performances
- Sarah Strong led UConn with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals.
- Azzi Fudd added 20 points.
- Kayleigh Heckel contributed 14, while KK Arnold had 13.
Despite struggling from long range (4-of-26, 15.4 percent), UConn’s balanced offense and strong defense carried the team to victory in the season opener.
“The Huskies led 25–9 at the end of the first quarter but were out-scored 57–54 the rest of the way.”
Summary
UConn’s women launched their season with a high-energy win over Louisville, led by Sarah Strong’s all-around play and a dominant first quarter that set the tone for a 79–66 triumph.
Author’s summary: UConn started their season with a convincing victory over Louisville, featuring strong defense, efficient scoring, and standout performances from Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd.