With a heavily partisan UConn crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena, the St. John’s Red Storm hoped to do what no one in the Big East conference has yet to do – beat the Huskies. Even though UConn had an uncharacteristically abysmal three-point shooting game, the Red Storm were reduced to a slight breeze and were routed 71 – 40 in the first quarterfinal match of the day.
Ber’Nyah Mayo of St. John’s scored the first two points, their only game lead. UConn then went on an 18 – 0 run to end the first quarter. The Huskies got off to a slow start, but relied on strong defense to keep St. John’s at bay. Azzi Fudd scored the first of only two three-point shots made for UConn.
The Red Storm showed some real signs of life in the second quarter, pacing UConn after the first three minutes. Ariana Vanderhoop scored the first of St. John’s seven 3s. Halfway through the quarter, there was a nice flurry of shots in a minute, with Sarah Strong and Fudd scoring for the Huskies, and Kylie Lavelle scoring back to back threes for St. John’s. While UConn took the quarter 16 – 15, and with St. John’s looking better, the damage was long done.
UConn Pulled Away in Second Half
UConn essentially doubled up St. John’s in the third 19 – 10, and took the fourth quarter 18 – 13 for the win. The Huskies forced 16 turnovers, scoring 13 points, and St. John’s only turned UConn over four times, scoring eight points. UConn dominated the paint, and only committed eight fouls for the game.
They out-rebounded St. John’s 42 – 31, and held them to 1 – 2 from the free throw line while going 11 – 12. The troublesome lack of three-point shots will have to be rectified for every game here on in for UConn. They have the weapons to do it; now they just have to do it.
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Nb6t93vAHE
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 8, 2025
Aubrey Griffin did not play the game. It is not known if she will be able to participate in the NCAA tournament. The crowd greeted Caroline Ducharme with a roar as she put up her first bucket since returning. Always a fan favorite, hopefully Ducharme will get more and more minutes, but coming off of such serious injuries, it will be a slow process.
What’s Next for the Huskies
The Huskies will face Villanova on Sunday in the semifinals with Creighton facing Seton Hall, potentially setting up a rematch of the regular season title between UConn and Creighton. FOX will broadcast both games.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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