Strong’s Double-Double Powers No. 1 UConn Past South Florida 85-51

Tampa, FL – Sarah Strong recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds as top-ranked UConn dominated South Florida 85-51 on Tuesday night at the Yuengling Center, improving to 8-0 on the season.

The defending national champions shot 51 percent from the floor and forced 20 turnovers, converting them into 42 points as the Huskies remained unbeaten against American Athletic Conference opponents with a perfect 143-0 all-time record.

Huskies Seize Control Early

UConn exploded out of the gates, scoring the first 10 points of the game and building a commanding 29-10 lead after the first quarter. The Huskies’ defensive pressure overwhelmed South Florida from the opening tip, setting the tone for a dominant performance.

A 15-2 run to close the first quarter gave UConn a 19-point cushion, and the Huskies pushed their advantage to 42-12 midway through the second period. By halftime, UConn held a staggering 48-16 lead and never looked back.

The Huskies led by as many as 38 points in the second half, cruising to their eighth consecutive victory to open the season.

Balanced Scoring Attack

Blanca Quinonez provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including three three-pointers, while Azzi Fudd and Ashlynn Shade each added 10 points. Quinonez’s efficient shooting (5-of-8 from the floor, 3-of-4 from three) gave UConn a dangerous scoring threat in the second unit.

Fudd finished with an all-around performance, contributing five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in addition to her 10 points. The junior guard continues to expand her game beyond scoring, embracing a larger defensive and playmaking role in the absence of Paige Bueckers.

Shade knocked down two three-pointers and grabbed three rebounds in 20 minutes, while KK Arnold added four points, three assists, and three steals in a defensive-minded performance.

Strong Anchors the Paint

Strong was dominant in the paint, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and grabbing 10 rebounds to record her fourth double-double in eight games. The freshman forward also contributed four assists and two steals, showcasing her versatility on both ends of the floor.

Strong’s ability to control the glass and facilitate the offense has been a key factor in UConn’s undefeated start, and her plus-31 rating was the highest on the team.

Bench Provides Major Lift

UConn’s bench outscored South Florida’s reserves 41-18, with six players contributing at least five points. Kayleigh Heckel added eight points in 20 minutes, while Allie Ziebell chipped in eight points and three assists in 19 minutes.

Jana El Alfy contributed five points and four rebounds in 12 minutes, and Caroline Ducharme added five points in nine minutes. The depth and versatility of UConn’s roster continues to be a major strength.

Defensive Pressure Creates Turnovers

The Huskies’ full-court pressure forced 20 turnovers and generated 15 steals, overwhelming South Florida’s ball handlers and creating easy transition opportunities. UConn converted those turnovers into 42 points, a key factor in the blowout victory.

Head coach Geno Auriemma praised his team’s defensive intensity while acknowledging the need to balance aggressive pressure with sound defensive principles.

“Yeah, we had 15 steals, and that turned into 42 points off turnovers. So, yeah, that’s awesome, you know? But we gave up 36 points on threes, you know? So there’s a lot of good that comes with all that. There’s something that we got to address, you know, because you don’t want to be doing that, you know, on a regular basis,” Auriemma said.

Huskies News:

• No. 1 UConn Rains Threes in Dominant 104-39 Rout of Xavier
• Pellerin’s Late Heroics Deliver UConn Nutmeg Classic Championship
• Woodworth’s Late Heroics Lift No. 8 UConn Past No. 9 Quinnipiac in Nutmeg Classic Thriller

The coach highlighted the effectiveness of UConn’s smaller lineups, particularly when KK Arnold, Kayleigh Heckel, and Azzi Fudd share the court together.

“When we have her and KK out there together with AZ, I think that gives us a really, really good, you know, defensive presence out there, especially in full court,” Auriemma said of Heckel’s impact.

Heckel’s Seamless Transition

Transfer guard Kayleigh Heckel has quickly become a key contributor for the Huskies, providing defensive intensity and energy off the bench. Auriemma explained that Heckel’s familiarity with pressure defense has allowed her to fit seamlessly into UConn’s system.

“I think if you’re doing something similar to what she’s used to, you know, her whole high school career, the team that she played on, you know, they were a pressure defense kind of thing, pick up, and so it kind of fits in with what she likes and what her, you know, that’s her skills, you know, that’s her skill set. So it’s not like we’re introducing anything new to her, but she’s going to get better at it,” Auriemma said.

Heckel’s ability to jump passing lanes and create turnovers has been a major asset for the Huskies, and her offensive game has exceeded expectations.

“I thought when she was in high school, she was what you see out there now, except a little more raw, a little more wilder, just flying up and down the floor, and not a whole lot of thought about whether it was gonna end up good or bad. Just a race car driver who just liked to drive fast,” Auriemma said. “She’s a way better offensive player than I thought she was. She loves that pull up.”

Fudd’s Expanded Role

Azzi Fudd’s all-around performance drew praise from Auriemma, who noted her growth as a defender and playmaker. With Paige Bueckers sidelined, Fudd has embraced a larger role on both ends of the floor.

“We were talking about it on the bench. That AZ’s known as, like, she’s a great shooter and a scorer. But little by little, she’s starting to kind of get comfortable with some of the other stuff. She really is leaning into this defensive mentality, wants to be,” Auriemma said.

Fudd has taken on the responsibility of guarding opposing teams’ best perimeter players, a role previously filled by Bueckers.

“Last year we used to put Paige on the other team’s best player, right? And so this year we were like, who are we gonna put on there? KK sometimes, but she might be too. And I said, look, AZ’s gonna have to guard the other team’s best guard. And that’s all there is to it, and she loves it,” Auriemma said.

Fuel Your Game Day Cravings with Doich Foods

Craving something sweet between periods? Between innings? Between quarters?

Doich Foods has you covered with edible cookie dough that’s ready to eat straight from the container—no baking, no waiting, just pure indulgence.

Whether you’re watching the game from the couch or celebrating a big win, Doich Foods delivers the ultimate treat for sports fans who refuse to compromise on flavor.

Why Doich Foods?

• Safe to eat raw – No eggs, no worries
• Game-ready – Grab a spoon and dig in
• Perfect for sharing (or not—we don’t judge)
• Multiple flavors to satisfy every craving

Exclusive Offer for Bad Dawg Sports Fans

👇 Get 20% off your order with our exclusive discount!

👉 BUY NOW

Don’t let halftime hunger slow you down. Stock up on Doich Foods edible cookie dough and keep your energy high all game long.

Doich Foods – Because champions deserve a sweet reward.

Strong and Fudd Lead the Way

Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd have emerged as UConn’s primary scoring threats through the first two games without Paige Bueckers, and Auriemma is pleased with their production and efficiency.

“I hope that based on these first two games, that’s kind of the way that I want it to go for the rest of the season. They can score 21 and 23 points, and it’s a point a minute. I think that’s pretty good for right now,” Auriemma said.

The coach emphasized that the duo must continue to create opportunities for themselves and each other as the season progresses.

“Obviously, it’s different, you know? 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. And 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,”Auriemma said.

Williams Adjusting to College Game

Freshman forward Serah Williams contributed six points and three rebounds in 17 minutes, but Auriemma acknowledged that the transition to college basketball has been challenging for the talented newcomer.

“The challenge, initially, I believe, is the pace of the game, the physicality and the quickness that she has to deal with, both with her teammates and how we play, our style of play. So she gets caught sometimes between being rushed, like you saw a couple times today, and then being a step slow,” Auriemma said.

Despite the adjustment period, Auriemma expressed confidence in Williams’ development and his role in helping her adapt.

“I think it takes, the question earlier was how Heckle fit in real easy. It’s really, really much more difficult for bigger guys, so I think the change in just about everything. It’s gonna take a little bit of time, but I like the direction that we’re going with her. I need to help her a little bit more. Stay calm a little bit more,” Auriemma said.

South Florida’s Struggles

South Florida (5-4) was led by L’or Mputu’s 12 points and seven rebounds, while Carla Brito added eight points and seven rebounds. The Bulls shot just 36.5 percent from the floor and struggled to handle UConn’s defensive pressure.

South Florida’s 20 turnovers proved costly, as the Huskies converted those mistakes into easy transition baskets. The Bulls were outscored 44-24 in the paint and 11-3 in second-chance points.

Championship Banner Ceremony

Prior to the game, UConn unveiled its 12th national championship banner, commemorating the program’s 2024 title. Auriemma reflected on the significance of the ceremony and the emotions that come with honoring the program’s storied history.

“I think the banners, when they are unveiled, are, again, very symbolic, obviously, they’re part of history now, they’re part of the legacy of UConn women’s basketball. I think the fans really kind of gravitate towards wanting to be a part of that, the ceremony, you know. I was there the night they raised the banner,” Auriemma said.

The coach acknowledged the weight of the program’s championship legacy and the challenge of putting those accomplishments into perspective.

“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 you could 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. And so it’s such a unique thing that I was there. I was there for every one of them. I saw it. I felt it. I was part of it,” Auriemma said.

Inside The Numbers

• UConn shot 50.8 percent (32-63) from the floor, 39.1 percent (9-23) from three, and 66.7 percent (12-18) from the free-throw line
• South Florida shot 36.5 percent (19-52) from the floor, 25.0 percent (3-12) from three, and 83.3 percent (10-12) from the line
• UConn forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 42 points
• The Huskies outscored South Florida 44-24 in the paint
• UConn held a 41-18 advantage in bench points
• The Huskies recorded 15 steals, led by KK Arnold and Kayleigh Heckel with three each
• UConn outrebounded South Florida 34-34 but held a 10-10 edge on the offensive glass
• Sarah Strong led all players with a plus-31 rating
• UConn improved to 143-0 all-time against American Athletic Conference opponents

Up Next

UConn returns home to face Holy Cross on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on SNY. The Huskies will look to extend their winning streak to nine games as they continue their non-conference schedule.

Game attendance: 5,863

Officials: Joseph Vaszily, Paulani Spurlock, Karen Preato

Game duration: 1:48

For more exclusive UConn Huskies women’s basketball coverage, insider analysis, and breaking news, subscribe to our premium newsletter for just $24/year. Current subscribers stay at their current rate at renewal. Don’t miss a moment of the Huskies’ championship pursuit!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Follow Bad Dawg Sports:Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | 

Visit us: www.bad-dawgsports.com