Annapolis, Md. — Sarah Strong scored 21 points with nine rebounds, and top-ranked UConn opened its national championship title defense with a 79-66 victory over No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday night at Alumni Hall in the first-ever women’s basketball Armed Forces Classic at the Naval Academy.
Azzi Fudd added 20 points for the Huskies (1-0), who extended their season-opening winning streak to 30 consecutive games dating back to 1995. UConn has not lost a season opener in three decades, and the defending national champions showed why with a dominant first-half performance before withstanding a late Louisville rally.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Ramstein Air Base in Germany but was moved to the Naval Academy, providing a unique and meaningful experience for both programs as the first women’s teams to participate in the Armed Forces Classic.
“I never thought of this as being like a consolation prize. You know, this place is pretty amazing; it’s pretty special,” head coach Geno Auriemma said. “I knew the players, once they got around the midshipmen and had a chance to interact with them and listen to their stories, I knew it would be pretty special for them. I think all those things are worthwhile. To have a basketball game, I think it’s just added benefit.”
First Half: Huskies Dominate Early
UConn wasted no time establishing control in its first game without No. 1 WNBA draft pick Paige Bueckers. Fudd and KK Arnold connected on early 3-pointers to give the Huskies an 8-0 lead, and Arnold’s fast-break basket extended the advantage to 14-1.
The Huskies’ defensive intensity and transition game overwhelmed Louisville in the opening quarter, as UConn built a commanding 25-9 lead after 10 minutes. Strong and Fudd led the offensive charge while the Huskies’ pressure defense forced Louisville into difficult shots and turnovers.
UConn continued to pour it on in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 28 points at one stage. The Huskies dominated in the paint, outscoring Louisville 50-18 in that area for the game, while also capitalizing on 15 fast-break points. UConn took a 44-23 advantage into halftime, shooting 47.5% from the field while holding Louisville to just 23.5% shooting.
“Not making any threes and still getting up 28, you know, you would say it’s not an easy thing to do. We didn’t shoot free throws, and we didn’t make threes, and we’re up 28, so that’s pretty significant,” Auriemma said.
Second Half: Cardinals Rally, Huskies Respond
Louisville (0-1) regrouped at halftime and switched to a 2-3 zone defense that slowed UConn’s offensive rhythm. The Cardinals found their shooting touch in the fourth quarter, connecting on 5-of-7 from 3-point range and 9-of-15 overall from the field.
Louisville mounted a furious comeback, cutting a 20-point deficit to 10 points in the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run. The Cardinals’ pressure and improved shooting made UConn work for every possession down the stretch.
But when the game got tight, Strong delivered. The sophomore star scored back-to-back baskets to stop Louisville’s momentum and restore order for the Huskies.
“I was just giving, or the team was just giving me the ball. I was out there playing basketball, just reading what they were giving me and just playing with my teammates,” Strong said about her clutch fourth-quarter scoring.
UConn’s experience and composure showed in the final minutes as the Huskies maintained their lead and closed out the 79-66 victory. The Huskies finished shooting 44.9% from the field while holding Louisville to 34.4% shooting.
“I thought this was a great start and a great way to start building off our season,” Fudd said. “Everything’s a learning experience. So one, not kind of letting up like we did in that fourth quarter, but also figuring things out at the end. It got kind of close. We had to, Sarah hit some clutch shots at the end. We made some great decisions on defense, just good team basketball.”
Strong’s All-Around Excellence
Strong’s 21-point, nine-rebound performance showcased her versatility and playmaking ability. The 6-foot-2 forward shot 9-of-17 from the field and added five assists, two steals, and two blocks while playing nearly 38 minutes.
Strong’s ability to push the ball in transition and facilitate the offense added a new dimension to UConn’s attack. She grabbed rebounds and started fast breaks, creating easy scoring opportunities for her teammates.
“I think when you have a player like Sarah that can rebound the ball like she rebounds it and then start the break, I think that’s a whole new dynamic,” Auriemma said. “We’ve had some of those guys in the past, whether it was Stewie or Maya Moore, guys that could just be great rebounders and just bring the ball up the floor. Because she’s such a gifted passer, there are a lot of opportunities when she has the ball in her hands, so we try to put the ball in her hands as often as possible.”
Strong’s clutch scoring in the fourth quarter demonstrated her ability to deliver in pressure moments. When Louisville cut the lead to 10, Strong took over with back-to-back baskets that steadied the Huskies and prevented the Cardinals from completing their comeback.
“I’m comfortable doing those types of things, and the coaches told me to lead the break, so I’m just going to do what they told me to do,” Strong said about her expanded role pushing the ball in transition.
Fudd Shines Near Home
Fudd, playing close to her hometown of Arlington, Virginia, delivered a stellar performance with 20 points on 9-of-20 shooting, including 2-of-8 from 3-point range. The senior guard played all 38 minutes and added three assists, two steals, and one rebound.
Fudd’s ability to score from all three levels kept Louisville’s defense honest throughout the game. She attacked the basket, knocked down mid-range jumpers, and stretched the floor with her 3-point shooting.
“I had a lot of people come out and support me today, so I know I’m super lucky to have that kind of support and love,” Fudd said. “Being able to play here, my grandma was here for the second time, it’s super special. And then again, being at the Naval Academy, it’s just, like, it’s incredible.”
Fudd’s leadership and experience were crucial in helping UConn navigate Louisville’s second-half comeback. She remained poised under pressure and made key plays down the stretch to help secure the victory.
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Balanced Scoring Attack
UConn’s depth was on full display as five players scored in double figures. Transfer Kayleigh Heckel made an immediate impact in her Huskies debut, scoring 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting in 23 minutes off the bench.
KK Arnold contributed 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting while adding seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block. The sophomore guard’s confidence and aggressive play were evident as she attacked the basket and made decisive plays.
“I think her confidence in herself. You see her taking it to the rim more, you see her shooting more without hesitation,” Strong said about Arnold’s growth. “So just seeing that confidence grow. You saw it start over the summer, and it’s really started to blossom. So seeing her truly believe in herself, it’s definitely a difference maker.”
Transfer Serah Williams added four points and eight rebounds in her UConn debut, providing interior presence and toughness. Ashlynn Shade chipped in five points, while Jana El Alfy contributed two points and four rebounds.
Dominating the Paint and Boards
UConn’s size and athleticism were overwhelming factors in the victory. The Huskies outscored Louisville 50-18 in the paint, consistently getting high-percentage looks near the basket.
UConn also controlled the glass, out-rebounding Louisville 47-43. Laura Ziegler led all players with 18 rebounds for the Cardinals, but the Huskies’ balanced rebounding effort neutralized her impact. Strong grabbed nine rebounds, Williams added eight, and Arnold collected seven.
The Huskies turned 15 offensive rebounds into 10 second-chance points while limiting Louisville to nine second-chance points. UConn’s ability to control the boards and create extra possessions was a key factor in building and maintaining its lead.
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Transition Game and Defense
UConn’s transition offense was lethal in the first half, as the Huskies pushed the pace and created easy scoring opportunities. UConn finished with 15 fast-break points compared to Louisville’s 10, with Strong leading the charge by grabbing rebounds and pushing the ball up the floor.
The Huskies’ defensive pressure forced 12 Louisville turnovers, which UConn converted into 16 points. UConn’s length and athleticism disrupted Louisville’s offensive flow, particularly in the first half when the Cardinals struggled to find open looks.
“I thought we did a good job today. I obviously think we had our moments of brain farts, not communicating, messing up, but I thought overall we did some really great things, things we’ve been working on,” Fudd said about the defensive effort. “We have things we can go home and work on and practice.”
Louisville’s Fight
Despite the lopsided first half, Louisville showed resilience and fight in the second half. Laura Ziegler finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Skylar Jones added 13 points off the bench. Imari Berry contributed 13 points, and Reyna Scott scored nine points with five assists.
The Cardinals’ zone defense in the second half disrupted UConn’s offensive rhythm and created open 3-point opportunities. Louisville shot 71.4% from 3-point range in the fourth quarter, connecting on 5-of-7 attempts to fuel their comeback attempt.
“Coming out of the first half, we knew that it was going to be a different defensive style that we were going to have to play against,” Auriemma said. “The only thing we talked about was getting the ball into the middle of the zone, which we did, and then finding our shooters, which we did, and if we’d have made half the ones we missed then, it would have been a different story.”
Historic Armed Forces Classic Experience
The game marked a historic moment for women’s basketball as the first women’s teams to participate in the Armed Forces Classic. The experience at the Naval Academy provided both teams with unique opportunities to interact with midshipmen and learn about military life.
UConn players participated in a boat simulator activity, toured the campus, and had lunch with midshipmen. The experience left a lasting impression on the Huskies, who gained a deeper appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice of those serving in the military.
“I really didn’t know anything about the Naval Academy. It was really cool,” Strong said. “Being able to get to experience, we did a little simulator activity, went on a boat, and then got to eat lunch with them, and it was just, it was really special, it was super cool.”
Fudd echoed those sentiments: “I think just the standard you guys have, like, from your uniform to, like, literally every single detail, was so impressive. But then, to kinda hear the story we heard some people talk and just hear what you guys go through, get to see a little bit of what you guys go through, and learn about it, it’s so impressive.”
The game was played in front of 3,640 fans at Alumni Hall, with strong support from the midshipmen and local community. The atmosphere was electric, and the players felt the energy and significance of the event.
“You try to do things like this for that reason, to bring some more awareness,” Auriemma said. “As much as the awareness has improved over the last couple of years, especially, I think it’s important to make sure that that commitment or that sort of incredible outpouring that we’ve had the last couple years continues to push it forward.”
Auriemma’s Naval Academy Connection
For Auriemma, the trip to Annapolis held special personal significance. His father-in-law, Kathy’s father, played basketball at the Naval Academy and graduated in 1932 before World War II. Auriemma has visited the academy multiple times, including a week-long stay when he coached the U.S. Olympic team.
“All my visits here are about history, about tradition, something that I’m pretty touched by,” Auriemma said. “I think all the academies in this country have a unique place in America. I enjoy asking questions of the midshipmen and finding out their story, where they’re from, why they chose to come here, what their goal is going forward, and just incredibly amazed at their stories.”
When asked about the possibility of returning to play Navy in the future, Auriemma was open to the idea: “I would never pass up an opportunity to play here to be here.”
Building Chemistry and Depth
UConn’s performance showcased the team’s depth and versatility, with contributions from multiple players. The Huskies’ bench outscored Louisville’s reserves 16-22, but UConn’s starters provided the bulk of the production.
The integration of transfers Williams and Heckel has added new dimensions to UConn’s roster. Williams provides interior toughness and rebounding, while Heckel offers scoring punch and shooting from the wing position.
“This team is super different than last year, even though it was only a few different pieces,” Fudd said. “But I think what those pieces bring are so valuable. I think as the season goes on, we continue to build our chemistry and learn how to keep playing well together and what our strengths are. It’s going to be even more fun and really special because this team’s going to be good.”
Lessons Learned
Despite the victory, Auriemma and his players recognized areas for improvement. UConn’s 3-point shooting struggled (4-of-26, 15.4%), and the team’s defensive intensity waned in the second half.
“In the second half, not surprised at all by their run, not surprised at all that we got sloppy,” Auriemma said. “Surprised that we missed so many open shots because that’s generally what we’re pretty good at. Today we were a typical basketball team, a little bit better than typical, but generally speaking, that’s what happens in basketball games. You have peaks and valleys.”
The Huskies’ ability to maintain composure and execute down the stretch was a positive sign. When Louisville cut the lead to 10, UConn responded with Strong’s clutch baskets and solid defensive possessions to seal the win.
“Them just continuing to play hard, and I thought we let our fatigue get to us and our communication kind of slipped,” Fudd said. “So just little things that we need to continue. It was our first game, but still not a habit we want to build.”
By the Numbers
- Final Score: UConn 79, Louisville 66
- Field Goal Percentage: UConn 44.9% (35-78), Louisville 34.4% (22-64)
- 3-Point Percentage: UConn 15.4% (4-26), Louisville 33.3% (8-24)
- Free Throw Percentage: UConn 62.5% (5-8), Louisville 82.4% (14-17)
- Rebounds: UConn 47, Louisville 43
- Assists: UConn 17, Louisville 11
- Turnovers: UConn 8, Louisville 12
- Points in the Paint: UConn 50, Louisville 18
- Fast Break Points: UConn 15, Louisville 10
- Bench Points: UConn 16, Louisville 22
Looking Ahead
UConn will look to build on this opening victory as the Huskies continue their title defense. The team’s depth, versatility, and championship experience make them the favorites to repeat, but Auriemma knows the journey is just beginning.
“I don’t ever want to walk off a court this year because we’re UConn and we’re defending national champions, and we’re preseason number one, and make wins feel like losses because we didn’t win by enough,” Auriemma said. “For the first game out, I thought it was a tremendous success.”
With Strong and Fudd leading the way, complemented by Arnold’s growth, Heckel’s scoring, and Williams’ interior presence, the Huskies have the pieces to make another championship run. The chemistry will continue to develop as the season progresses, and UConn’s depth will be a major advantage.
“Playing here, being the first, but honestly just being able to play in the Armed Forces Classic, it’s such an honor,”Fudd said. “To be able to be here at the Naval Academy, kind of like we talked about, just be able to experience a little bit of what they do, interact with the midshipmen, it’s such an incredible honor.”
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