The UConn Huskies, fresh off of a stinging loss to Tennessee, needed to get back on track. Providence was looking for the upset at home, but that was purely a pipe dream.
From the start, UConn came out playing a much faster-paced offense and got out to an early lead. Providence did not score for the first four minutes when Marta Morales Romero got them on the board with a two-point jumper. Paige Bueckers got her first two points from the free throw line, taking the Huskies to 9 – 2, but Romero responded with a three-point shot.
UConn then outscored the Friars 14 – 4 to end the quarter 23 – 9. UConn cooled off just a bit but still held Providence to seven points while scoring 17, and at the half had a lead of 40 – 16.
Providence shot better in the third but so did UConn, outscoring the Friars 29 – 16. Four of the UConn starters sat in the fourth quarter, with only Kaitlyn Chen still on the floor. It was an even 8 – 8 scoring, but it was moot. The Huskies got their bounce-back win, 77 – 40.
HUSKIES WIN@WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/143DSw7Nc6
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 9, 2025
This game saw Bueckers get back some form that had recently been missing, and although Azzi Fudd was scoreless in the first half. she scored 17 in the second. Ashlynn Shade scored 12 off the bench, and Sarah Strong had an unusually quiet game with seven points and nine rebounds. Only Romero had double digits with 15 for Providence.
What’s Next For UConn?
UConn has a home game against St. John’s on Wednesday before heading to Columbia, South Carolina to meet the Gamecocks, who also have a game before they meet with the Huskies. With South Carolina coming off of their second loss, this time to Texas, their game with Florida could serve as a buffer before meeting UConn. The same for the Huskies against St. John’s.
Of course, the Gamecocks will be favored, and according to ESPN Analytics, will have a 61.4% chance of winning. Not overwhelming, but not unreasonable either. So the question is, can UConn get what would be a huge upset? There are a lot of big ifs in that path, but yes, they could. As for South Carolina, who tied Texas several times but never had the lead, will also have to play flawless basketball.
Playing at Colonial Life Arena, which will be a packed house, will make it difficult for UConn, but they have plenty of experience playing to hostile crowds. Neither team can afford to play catch up. While the scales may tip toward South Carolina, I’m not quite ready to count the Huskies out before it starts. Both teams have a lot of work to do. No doubt that will get done.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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