The UConn Huskies might have shown a bit of rust after a 12-day layoff, but once they shook off the cobwebs, they were back to their dominant selves. In their opening game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament, the No. 1 seed Huskies faced off against No. 16 seed UTSA at Gampel Pavilion, and despite a slow start, they cruised to a commanding 90-52 victory.
Initially, UConn's offense sputtered, hitting just 4 of their first 10 shots and leading only 8-2 with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter. By the end of the quarter, they had extended their lead to 16-6, despite shooting just 7 of 18 from the field.
Once they found their rhythm, the Huskies were unstoppable. They put on a clinic in the second quarter, outscoring the Roadrunners 29-8. Their defense was suffocating, turning turnovers into transition buckets and shooting a scorching 55% from the floor.
This impressive performance came despite missing key contributions from starters Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold for much of the first half. Fudd was sidelined with three early fouls, while Arnold played just two minutes in the second quarter due to foul trouble. Yet, the Huskies didn’t miss a beat, showcasing their depth and versatility.
Sophomore standout Sarah Strong, who led the team with 18 points, emphasized the team’s adaptability. “We’re used to playing alongside each other,” she said, highlighting their seamless chemistry.
By halftime, UConn had built a formidable 48-14 lead, holding UTSA to just 27.3% shooting. Fudd returned in the third quarter, adding seven points to extend the lead to 75-30. With the game well in hand, the fourth quarter saw the bench take center stage, allowing starters like Strong and Fudd to rest.
Kayleigh Heckel, Allie Ziebell, and Blanca Quinonez stepped up admirably. Heckel, running the point, dished out five assists and scored 11 points. Quinonez added 15 points and five rebounds, while the bench contributed a total of 36 points.
Ashlynn Shade also had a milestone night, scoring her 1,000th career point and finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Roadrunners were led by Ereauna Hardaway, Damara Allen, and Cheyenne Rowe, each scoring 11 points.
Looking ahead, UConn will face the winner of the Iowa State and Syracuse matchup in the second round. With their eyes set on defending their national title and capturing a 13th championship, the Huskies are clearly a force to be reckoned with.
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