UConn Women’s Basketball Puts on a Defensive Clinic in Statement Win Over Iowa
In a matchup that was billed as one of UConn’s toughest tests of the season, the top-ranked Huskies didn’t just pass - they dominated. UConn rolled past No. 11 Iowa, 90-64, at the Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn, delivering a wire-to-wire win that showcased their defensive tenacity, offensive depth, and championship-caliber poise.
Yes, Iowa shot the ball well - 49% from the field and an impressive 47.1% from three. They even won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Huskies 34-25.
But when you turn the ball over 26 times against a team like UConn, you’re playing with fire. And the Huskies?
They brought the heat.
UConn’s defense was relentless from the opening tip. They racked up 17 steals, blocked five shots, and turned Iowa’s mistakes into a staggering 41 points. That’s the kind of defensive pressure that breaks rhythm, wears down shooters, and flips momentum before you even realize it’s gone.
“We take pride in what we do on that end,” head coach Geno Auriemma said postgame. “They’re a tough team - they spread you out, they shoot it well, and they’ve got size inside. But I was really impressed with how we defended.”
Sarah Strong Sets the Tone Early
Freshman forward Sarah Strong wasted no time making her presence felt. She dropped 20 points in the first half alone, hitting 9-of-13 from the field and giving UConn a steady offensive anchor as the Huskies built a 42-31 halftime lead.
“The first half, it was a struggle to get going and Sarah kind of just did her thing,” Auriemma said. “She kept us steady.”
Strong finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six steals - a complete performance that underscored her growing role as a two-way force for the undefeated Huskies (12-0).
Fudd Closes the Door
If Strong was the spark, Azzi Fudd was the closer. The junior guard exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 of her game-high 27 points to shut the door on any thoughts of an Iowa comeback. Fudd also added four steals, continuing her evolution into a complete player who can impact the game on both ends.
UConn opened the second half with a 14-4 run, stretching their lead to 21 points early in the third quarter. That stretch included four made threes and effectively put the game out of reach. From there, it was all about maintaining control - and the Huskies did just that, outscoring Iowa in every quarter and keeping their foot on the gas until the final buzzer.
Balanced Contributions Across the Board
This wasn’t a two-player show. Freshman Blanca Quinonez added 10 points, four rebounds, five assists, and four steals - a stat line that speaks to her versatility and growing confidence in UConn’s system. The Huskies got meaningful minutes and defensive effort from up and down the roster, which is exactly what Auriemma wants to see as the season progresses.
“They want to work hard; they want to be a good defensive team,” he said. “They take great pride in trying to limit what the other team can do. We’ve got a lot of kids that understand, ‘OK, I’m not going to lead the team in scoring maybe, but there’s a lot of things I can do to help our team win.’”
Iowa’s Offense Meets Its Match
Credit to Iowa - they came in with firepower. Hannah Stuelke led the way with 17 points and five rebounds.
Chazadi Wright added 16 points, and Taylor Stremlow chipped in 11. But UConn’s defense made life difficult for Ava Heiden, Iowa’s leading scorer this season.
She was held to just eight points on 4-of-11 shooting - a testament to the Huskies’ ability to game plan and execute.
Despite shooting well and crashing the boards, Iowa couldn’t overcome the turnover margin. Against most teams, their offensive numbers would’ve kept them competitive. Against UConn, they became footnotes in a game where defense dictated everything.
A Statement Heading Into the Break
With the win, UConn heads into the holiday break unbeaten and brimming with confidence. This wasn’t just another victory - it was a message.
When this team locks in defensively and shares the scoring load the way they did against Iowa, they’re not just hard to beat. They’re nearly impossible.
And as Auriemma put it, this group understands what it takes to win - not just in December, but when the games really start to matter.
“We’ve got a really good group,” he said. “And I’m happy that they can go home for Christmas with this.”