Brooklyn, NY — Depth, pressure, and star power all showed up on the same stage Saturday afternoon as No. 1 UConn Huskies delivered a commanding 90–64 victory over No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center.
This season’s version of UConn looks different — and dangerous. Head coach Geno Auriemma is working with one of his deepest rotations in years, allowing the Huskies to maintain relentless pressure for 40 minutes without sacrificing efficiency. Even on nights when one star doesn’t have to carry the load, the Huskies never miss a beat.
That depth was on full display as Azzi Fudd poured in 27 points while Sarah Strong added 23 points, seven rebounds, and six steals. The Huskies improved to 12-0, heading into the holiday break unbeaten and battle-tested.
Strong controlled the game early, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. The sophomore exploded for 20 first-half points and five steals, igniting a UConn defense that turned disruption into instant offense. Her ability to score, defend, and push tempo gave Iowa little room to breathe as the Huskies built a 42–31 halftime lead.
The Huskies opened the game with a quick burst, leading 22–12 after the first quarter. Iowa briefly trimmed the deficit in the second, but Strong quickly slammed the door, scoring seven points during a decisive 10–2 run that stretched the lead back into double digits. One sequence summed up the night: a Strong steal followed by a coast-to-coast layup that brought the UConn crowd to its feet.
The second half belonged to Fudd. After a relatively quiet opening two quarters, she erupted for 21 points after halftime. UConn opened the third quarter on a 6–0 run, effectively putting the game out of reach as Iowa struggled to keep pace offensively.
The win marked UConn’s fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season, adding to earlier triumphs over No. 5 Michigan, No. 16 Louisville, and No. 19 Southern California. The Huskies will face two more ranked challenges after the New Year, hosting No. 17 Tennessee and No. 20 Notre Dame.
For Iowa (10–2), Hannah Stuelke led the way with 17 points while Chazadi Wright chipped in 16. The Hawkeyes were also dealt a blow early when guard Kylie Feuerbach exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Iowa has now lost two of its last three games, the other defeat coming against in-state rival Iowa State.
Up Next:
Iowa hosts Penn State on Sunday, Dec. 28.
UConn travels to Butler on Sunday, Dec. 28.
