UNCASVILLE, CT ― The No. 1 ranked UConn women’s basketball team won its sixth consecutive Big East Tournament in dominant fashion, 90-51, over Villanova on Monday, March 9, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
The No. 1-seeded Huskies, who have 23 Big East Tournament titles overall, have won 70 straight Big East games. UConn (34-0) is riding a 50-game win streak overall, going back to last season. UConn won its 12th women’s national championship in 2025 and will likely be the No. 1 overall seed on Selection Sunday.
‘We didn’t leave Tampa (with the national championship last season) saying we are going to be undefeated (this) year,’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.
‘It’s been an incredible run for us, these players play the best the can every night and that’s all you can ask, their best effort.’
Sarah Strong, named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, had an impressive stat line with 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Asked how she’s grown as a player, Strong said she tries to do it all.
‘I do a good job of being a good teammate on the court and whatever needs to be done, I always have may teammates backs,’ Strong said.
Senior Azzi Fudd, who was named to all-tournament team, led all UConn scorers with 19 points including eight in the third quarter. Junior KK Arnold, also on the all-tournament team, added 10 points and seven assists. Big East Freshman of the Year Blanca Quiñonez had 13 points and three steals.
‘We scored a lot of points in this tournament, but defense was what drove us in this tournament,’ Auriemma said.
Jasmine Bascoe had 14 points and five rebounds for Villanova (25-6), which will likely get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Third quarter: UConn 71, Villanova 42
The Huskies are on their way to their sixth straight Big East Tournament title and 24th overall.
UConn is outscoring Villanova 38-8 in the paint and 19-2 in fast-break points. UConn has four players in double figures led by Azzi Fudd, who has 19 points. Sarah Strong has 18, Blanca Quiñonez 13 and KK Arnold 10.
Fudd around and find out
Azzi Fudd has six points in the third quarter and is up to 17. The senior first-team All-Big East player also has three steals as the Huskies lead by 31 points with five minutes to go in the third quarter.
Halftime: UConn 49, Villanova 23
The Huskies have more than doubled up Villanova, a team that held a halftime lead the last time the two teams played on Feb. 18.
UConn is not playing this time around, dominating the Wildcats in every phase of the game. The Huskies are shooting 55% from the floor, compared to 24% for Villanova. UConn is outrebounding Villanova 19-11.
Sarah Strong has 15 points and Azzi Fudd 11 to lead the Huskies.Kennedy Henry has five points for the Wildcats.
Sarah Strong headed for double-double
The Big East play of the Year has 13 points and eight rebounds. Strong has eight double-doubles this season. The sophomore forward would likely have more but often doesn’t play the fourth quarter because UConn is usually up by double digits.
UConn extends lead
The Huskies are up by 19 at the midway point of the second quarter. Azzi Fudd has four of her six point in the period.
First quarter: UConn 23, Villanova 11
Sarah Strong has seven points and seven rebounds through the first period. The Huskies have 10 fast break points compared to none by the Wildcats. UConn has also controlled the glass, outrebounding Villanova 9-3.
UConn off to a hot start
The Huskies have taken an early 11-3 led by Sarah Strong’s five points.
What time is UConn vs Villanova?
Date: Monday, March 9
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Connecticut)
The UConn Huskies play the Villanova Wildcats in the finals of the Big East Tournament at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
UConn vs Villanova: TV, streaming
Stream: Peacock
