UConn Women's Basketball Makes Bold Statement Against Southern Connecticut

The UConn women’s basketball team, ranked number one in the nation, delivered a commanding performance against the Southern Connecticut State Owls in their final preseason game of the 2025-2026 season. The Huskies secured a decisive 105-39 victory, showcasing their dominance early on and maintaining a significant lead throughout the contest.

From the outset, UConn's defense set the tone for the game. In the first quarter alone, the team scored 30 points while allowing only five. Their defensive prowess was evident as they converted 36 points off of 32 turnovers by the Owls, with 14 of those points coming in the opening period.

One standout performer on the defensive end was KK Arnold, who led the team with six steals. Half of her takeaways came in the first quarter, demonstrating her ability to disrupt the opposing team's offense. Azzi Fudd followed closely behind with five steals, while Blanca Quiñonez, coming off the bench, added three crucial blocks that helped shut down Southern Connecticut's scoring opportunities.

In the paint, UConn controlled the boards with a total of 47 rebounds—11 on the offensive end and 36 on the defensive side. These rebounds translated into 15 second-chance points for the Huskies. Sarah Strong was instrumental in this effort, grabbing 10 rebounds to help secure additional scoring chances.

While the team showed improvement in communication compared to their previous exhibition game against Boston College, Head Coach Geno Auriemma acknowledged that there is still work to be done. “It was better,” Auriemma said. “I think every team that I’ve ever coached starts the season with those problems and it gets better as the season goes on.”

With the departure of star guard Paige Bueckers and the introduction of several new players, the team has faced challenges in building cohesion. “It’s not easy when you’re trying to incorporate a lot of new players,” Auriemma explained. “Every year, when you replace the players that were very talkative, like Kaitlyn Chen, Paige Bueckers, it masks what the other guys are not doing.”

Auriemma also praised Southern Connecticut for their execution and the areas where UConn needs to improve. “They looked like they had a plan and they knew what they wanted to do,” he said. “They got a bunch of threes out, which says a lot about them. Says a lot about us too.”

Offensively, Azzi Fudd was the standout performer, leading the team with 21 points. In nearly 25 minutes of play, she shot 60% from the field and 62.5% from beyond the arc. Serah Williams, a Wisconsin transfer, also made an impact, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists in just 16 and a half minutes. Her ability to thrive within the arc was a key factor in UConn’s offensive success.

Sarah Strong, despite having an off day, still managed a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. However, her shooting percentages were lower than usual, making just 42.9% of her shots inside the paint and 25% from three-point range.

The Huskies’ big three of Fudd, Williams, and Strong continue to form a strong foundation for the team. As the 2025-2026 season progresses, their chemistry is expected to grow even stronger.

Allie Ziebell, who came off the bench and played the entire game, proved to be a valuable addition. The sophomore scored 13 points, making 75% of her two-point attempts and 33% of her three-pointers. “Last year, I think she struggled with some confidence issues,” Auriemma said. “All of a sudden, she was sick, missed about four or five days of practice and never really recovered.” This season, however, Ziebell appears more prepared and could become a reliable sixth woman.

Blanca Quiñonez, a freshman, also made an impact with 12 points in 20 minutes of play. While she struggled from the field, going 50% from inside the arc and 20% from beyond, she excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 87.5% of her attempts.

As the 2025-2026 season begins, UConn will face the No. 20-ranked Louisville Cardinals at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, November 4. Fans can watch the game on ESPN, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.