In Storrs, the UConn women's basketball team celebrated Senior Day with a commanding 81-38 victory over Providence. While the seniors might not have had their best statistical performances, the day was about much more than numbers.
Junior guard KK Arnold was pivotal, dishing out a career-high 10 assists, grabbing eight steals, and scoring eight points. Her emotional connection to the team was evident during the postgame ceremony honoring redshirt seniors Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme, senior transfer Serah Williams, redshirt junior Ice Brady, and redshirt sophomore Ayanna Patterson.
Jana El Alfy, another redshirt sophomore, dominated the boards with a career-best 16 rebounds, adding six points to her stat line. The emotional weight of the occasion was clear as she was visibly moved before the tributes even began.
Coach Geno Auriemma acknowledged the challenges this group has faced, stating, "I don't know that any group of players can look back and say anybody's had it harder than they've had it. Each and every one of them has been affected somehow, some way. Hopefully, that helps them going forward, whether it's in basketball or their lives after they leave here."
Patterson, who had missed two seasons due to injuries, made her first college start on Senior Day. Despite playing only a brief two and a half minutes, her presence on the court and her point from the free-throw line were significant milestones.
Reflecting on her journey, Patterson shared, "Being able to be back on the floor just with these guys … has been something I couldn't dream of two years ago."
Ducharme also made her first start since November 2023, showcasing her resilience after battling persistent head and neck injuries. Brady, unable to play due to season-ending surgery, participated in the ceremony on crutches.
Arnold, speaking about the seniors, said, "This group of seniors and the amount of adversity they’ve had to battle through, I just admired it coming in as a freshman."
Fudd led the seniors with 13 points, while superstar sophomore Sarah Strong contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and two blocks in just 13 minutes. Junior Ashlynn Shade and sophomore Allie Ziebell also scored in double digits, demonstrating the depth of UConn's roster.
Despite a rocky start, missing their first seven field goal attempts, the Huskies quickly found their rhythm. Their relentless full-court press stifled Providence, forcing 14 turnovers in the first quarter alone.
UConn's defense was relentless, holding Providence to just 14 points at halftime, tying their season record for the fewest points allowed in a half. The Huskies capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 of their 40 first-half points from these opportunities.
Coach Auriemma humorously noted, "They were telling me on the way in that we tied a record for forcing the most turnovers ever. I had no idea as I was watching."
The second half saw the Huskies' shooting improve, with Fudd hitting her stride from beyond the arc. UConn's third-quarter surge included five 3-pointers, propelling them on a 16-2 run.
A late steal-and-score by freshman Kelis Fisher tied the program record for forced turnovers at 39, with the Huskies scoring 39 points off those opportunities. Their defensive prowess held Providence to a season-low in points, shooting just 31.9% from the field.
"Our pressure was really good," Auriemma remarked. "We used it the right way, and we made Providence play way, way faster than they play."
The victory highlighted the Huskies' defensive strength and the emotional resilience of their seniors, setting a high bar for the rest of the season.