The Providence Friars met the UConn Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford for their last game of 2024. While the Huskies came out on top 67-41, it was not their best game. The first quarter was all UConn, outscoring the Friars 28 – 6. Things cooled off in the second quarter, with UConn edging Providence 17 – 13.
Paige Bueckers scored 19 of her 23 game-high points in the first half. Sarah Strong got into some early foul trouble and only scored five points in the first half. With UConn leading 45-19 at halftime, it looked like it might turn into a runaway win. However, the second half was a completely different game.
Neither team was able to find the hoop, and the turnovers for Providence kept piling on. The second-half score was dead even at 22 each, and even though UConn’s defense had some very good moments, neither team made much of a showing.
If UConn wants to be a strong presence in the NCAA tournament, they are going to have to find a way to score consistently and often. With Providence turning the ball over 31 times and UConn scoring 40 points off of them, the Friars will have to find better ball control if they make a run in the Big East.
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/DRYNvEj6pD
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) December 29, 2024
Even with foul trouble, Strong ended the game with 14 points. No one else hit double figures for UConn. Azzi Fudd, who started the game, ended with eight points. Grace Efosa scored 11 points for Providence, the only player in double figures.
With UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and USC sitting at No. 1- No. 4, No. 7 UConn can only focus on what they can do and not think too much about the standings. They will meet Tennessee and South Carolina in February, the only other ranked opponents they’ll face before the tournament. But we’ve also seen UConn play different basketball come tournament time. Also, there are a few ifs that may add some power to the Huskies lineup by then.
Aubrey Griffin is slated to return, and while there is no news about Caroline Ducharme‘s return, it would certainly be a welcome event. So from here on in, the Huskies cannot afford another second half like they had against Providence. The talent is there; the consistency is not. Ashlynn Shade needs to be able to produce regularly, as does Azzi Fudd and Ice Brady. Jana El Alfy can be a good inside presence, but the rookie mistakes will need to be kept to a bare minimum.
The rest of the squad is more than capable of contributing. It is going to be a question of who has the quality minutes. Making it to a No. 1 seed in the tournament is going to be an uphill climb, the bulk of which is out of their hands. Teams get better by tournament time. So can UConn.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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