Whenever the UConn Huskies play in New York, either at Madison Square Garden or now at Barclays Center, it feels like a home game. So it was Saturday night in Brooklyn, where the Huskies met the Louisville Cardinals for the Women’s Champions Classic.
Unlike their previous game, UConn jumped out to an early lead of 18-7 when Louisville’s Merissah Russell made a layup and free throw at the 2:55 mark to bring the Cardinals to within eight. The Cardinals did not score again in the quarter, which ended at 28-10 UConn.
The second quarter started slowly, but the Huskies padded their lead by an additional seven points, ending the half with a score of 49-24.
The third quarter was a blowout 23-9, although there was a hush when Azzi Fudd went down after a collision with a Louisville player. She did not play again but did come back to the bench. She was able to leave the court without assistance, and it did not appear to be terribly serious.
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/h3QyiRE5ao
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) December 8, 2024
The fourth quarter saw the UConn bench get some good minutes, and although Louisville outscored UConn 19-13, it was a decent showing for the reserves.
It was another low-scoring night for Paige Bueckers, who only managed eight points and 10 rebounds. They will certainly need her production to increase during the coming run against ranked opponents. Once again, Sarah Strong and Fudd led the way, with Strong scoring 21 and Fudd 18. Ashlynn Shade contributed 13 off the bench.
None of the Louisville starters hit double figures, but Imari Berry scored 10 off the bench. UConn shot 52.4% and held Louisville to 25.8%. The Huskies dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 38-16.
Louisville, now at 5-4 and sitting at No. 22 might not be there come Monday. UConn at 8-0 will most likely stay at No. 2 unless UCLA loses their Sunday game to Washington. The rankings might look a little different all around, but more than likely nothing too surprising.
What’s Next For The Huskies and Cardinals?
UConn has a difficult four-game stretch coming up, facing No. 10 Notre Dame in South Bend, and then home to face Georgetown, No. 20 Iowa State, and No. 6 USC. Hopefully, Bueckers will return to form and Fudd will be available. We’ve seen UConn tested some, but not by teams the caliber of what’s coming.
Up next for Louisville are a pair of home games, facing Grambling and then NC State. A few days will give coach Jeff Walz a chance to re-group his team and get them back on a winning track.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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