STORRS, Conn. – Azzi Fudd erupted for 23 points and Sarah Strong added 21 as top-ranked UConn overwhelmed Florida State 99-67 on Saturday at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, extending the Huskies’ home-opening winning streak to 35 consecutive seasons.
The victory came on a celebratory night as UConn unveiled its 2024 national championship banner before a crowd of 10,244, with nine current players who contributed to last season’s title team participating in the ceremony alongside returning alumna Aubrey Griffin.
Fudd dominated the first half, scoring 20 of her 23 points before intermission to help UConn build a commanding 51-27 halftime advantage. Strong contributed across the stat sheet with 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in just 23 minutes.
“If they can score 21 and 23 points and it’s a point a minute, I think that’s pretty good for right now,” said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma.
Heckle Sparks Defensive Pressure
Transfer guard Kayleigh Heckel provided a game-changing spark off the bench, recording 12 points and six steals while helping UConn force 23 Florida State turnovers that translated into 42 points.
Heckel’s defensive intensity in the second quarter—where she tallied five of UConn’s eight steals in the period—catalyzed a 12-0 run that pushed the Huskies’ lead to 17 points. Her seamless integration into UConn’s pressure defense drew praise from Auriemma.
“I think when we have her and KK out there together with AZ, that gives us a really, really good defensive presence out there, especially full court,” Auriemma said. “Her whole high school career, the team that she played on, they were a pressure defense kind of thing, pick up. So it kind of fits in with what she likes and what her skill set is.”
The Huskies’ full-court pressure proved decisive, generating 15 steals and creating transition opportunities throughout the contest.
“We had 15 steals, and that turned into 42 points off turnovers. So yeah, that’s awesome,” Auriemma noted, though he acknowledged the trade-off: “We gave up 36 points on threes. There’s a lot of good that comes with all that. There’s something we’ve got to address because you don’t want to be doing that on a regular basis.”
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Game Flow
UConn (3-0) started sluggishly, missing seven of its first nine layup attempts before finding its rhythm late in the opening quarter. A late basket by Heckel gave the Huskies a 23-13 advantage after 10 minutes.
The second quarter belonged to Fudd and UConn’s defensive pressure. Strong contributed five points and Fudd added four during a decisive 12-0 run that extended the lead to 17. After a pair of free throws by Florida State’s Pania Davis, the Huskies closed the half on a 10-0 surge with Fudd scoring the final eight points.
“AZ’s known as a great shooter and a scorer, but little by little, she’s starting to kind of get comfortable with some of the other stuff,” Auriemma said. “She really is leaning into this defensive mentality.”
UConn dominated the third quarter, shooting 76.5 percent from the field (13-of-17) and 60 percent from three-point range (3-of-5). Serah Williams scored seven points during a 15-0 run that ballooned the advantage to 39 points.
The Huskies cruised through the fourth quarter, with their bench contributing 37 points on the night compared to just 17 for Florida State.
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Florida State’s Effort
The Seminoles (2-1) were led by Sole Williams’ 14 points, while Allie Kubek and Jasmine Shavers each added 11. Florida State shot a respectable 38.1 percent from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 12-of-31 three-point attempts (38.7 percent).
Davis contributed nine points and six rebounds, while Sydney Bowles added five points and four assists. Emma Risch provided eight points off the bench, connecting on 2-of-6 from three-point range.
The Seminoles were outrebounded 40-27 and committed 23 turnovers that proved costly against UConn’s relentless pressure.
Statistical Breakdown
UConn shot 56.5 percent from the field (39-of-69) and an impressive 93.3 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-15). The Huskies dominated points in the paint (46-22), fast-break points (24-4) and bench scoring (37-17).
KK Arnold contributed seven points and two assists, while Ashlynn Shade added two points in 20 minutes. Allie Ziebell finished with seven points and four rebounds off the bench, and Caroline Ducharme chipped in five points and six rebounds.
Jana El Alfy added four points and three rebounds in 14 minutes, while Ice Brady scored five points. Ayanna Patterson, who missed the previous two seasons due to injury, scored her first basket at Gampel Pavilion since a March 20, 2023, NCAA Tournament victory over Baylor.
Adjusting Without Bueckers
UConn is navigating its first season without All-American guard Paige Bueckers, who departed for the WNBA. Auriemma acknowledged the adjustment process for his two leading scorers.
“Obviously, it’s different, quite different, not having a player like Paige out there. So they’ve got to do more together, and they’ve got to do more on their own,” Auriemma said. “As we go along, the other players on the team will get better at finding them, and they’ll get better at finding each other, and they’ll get better at creating their own stuff.”
Fudd’s stat line included five assists, three rebounds, and two steals, showcasing her expanded role beyond scoring.
“AZ is going to have to guard the other team’s best guard, and that’s all there is to it. And she loves it,” Auriemma said. “Between the defensive part, the assist part, the steals part, the number of shots that she makes—she might have got a rebound, did she? Holy Jesus. All right, so now I can’t bitch about that.”
Banner Ceremony Reflections
The pre-game banner ceremony honoring UConn’s 12th national championship brought mixed emotions for Auriemma, who has been present for all 12 titles.
“I have a lot of mixed emotions about the banners and the championships,” Auriemma said. “If you asked me, CD, or anybody associated with this, if you said, ‘Hey, if you could go on one of those time machines and go back, would you like to relive all these and try to do it again?’ I would say no, because there’s no way that this could ever happen the way it happened.”
The legendary coach emphasized the significance each championship holds for the players who earned it.
“They’re all incredibly significant to the people who won them, the people on their teams. That’s why our banners now in our practice facility actually have the names of the entire roster on the banner so that you can remember that’s kind of who it means the most to,” Auriemma said.
He also acknowledged the weight of the program’s history.
“Even for me, it’s not that easy to see it and be reminded of it. Because it’s just a lot. It really, really is a lot,” Auriemma said. “Grateful, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot to deal with.”
Looking Ahead
UConn’s depth—featuring five new players, including Williams, a transfer from Wisconsin—will be crucial as the season progresses. The Huskies’ ability to generate scoring from multiple sources was evident in their 37-17 bench scoring advantage.
Auriemma praised the progress of his rotation players, particularly noting the development of Williams and the perseverance of Jana El Alfy, who played her first game in 960 days following injury.
“Every single day in practice, there isn’t anybody that works harder, that comes ready to go, puts a lot of herself into it,” Auriemma said of El Alfy. “I admire her because of how hard she works and how much time she puts in, and she’s starting to find a little more of a role for herself.”
The Huskies will look to continue their undefeated start as they pursue another championship season, with Fudd and Strong leading a talented and deep roster.
UConn improves to 3-0 on the season and has won 35 consecutive home openers. Florida State falls to 2-1.
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