No. 1 UConn women’s basketball overwhelms Villanova to stay perfect
STORRS, CT — The No. 1 UConn women’s basketball team stayed perfect on a night when they honored the 2015-16 national championship team.
Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier were among members of the Huskies title team to return to Gampel Pavilion to be inducted as Huskies of Honor on Thursday night. The team was recognized in a ceremony before the game at center court.
It didn’t take long for the current UConn team to take control against Big East rival Villanova and cruise to 99-50 victory. The Huskies (18-0, 9-0) have won 56 consecutive conference games.
UConn forced 26 turnovers including 16 steals. The Huskies had more points in the paint, 58, than the Wildcats in the game.
‘The communication on defense was the best it has been all season,’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. ‘I even told them after the game … the way we were communicating, and how we were helping each other.
‘We created a lot of opportunities for ourselves.’
Sarah Strong had 24 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals in three quarters of play. Azzi Fudd has 14 points, KK Arnold 13 points, seven assists and four steals and Blanca Quiñonez 13 points.
Kennedy Henry had 12 points and Brynn McCurry 11 for Villanova (14-4, 7-2 Big East).
Follow along live with Thursday’s matchup between UConn and Villanova:
Third quarter: UConn 76, Villanova 44
Sophomore sensation Sarah Strong continues to do it all with 24 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals. Azzi Fudd has 14 points, KK Arnold 13 points, seven assists and four steals and Blanca Quiñonez 11 points.
The Huskies have 28 points off turnovers and 44 points in the paint.
Kennedy Henry is leading Villanova with 12 points.
KK Arnold scores five points in 12 seconds
KK Arnold hit a 3-pointer, stole the ball as Villanova drove up the court and drove in for a layup. UConn holds a 57-30 lead.
Second quarter: UConn 45, Villanova 27
The one-two punch of Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd is getting it done once again. Strong has 15 points and seven rebounds. Fudd has scored 12.
The Huskies are outscoring the Wildcats 28-2 in the lane. UConn has led by as many as 25.
Kennedy Henry is leading Villanova with 10 points.
First quarter: UConn 26, Villanova 8
Sarah Strong has eight points, three rebounds and one assist to lead the Huskies in the early going. Villanova’s nine turnovers have turned into 11 UConn points. The Huskies have 16 points in the paint.
We are underway in Storrs
Azzi Fudd opened the scoring with a 3-pointer for the Huskies.
Huskies 2015-16 title team honored
Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Morgan Tuck were among members of the UConn championship team to return to be inducted as Huskies of Honor.
What time is UConn vs. Villanova?
The UConn Huskies host theVillanova Wildcats on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.
UConn vs. Villanova: TV, streaming
Date: Thursday, Jan. 15
Time: 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, Connecticut)
TV: FS1
Stream: Fubo
Villanova starting lineup
UConn starting lineup
Villanova in the house
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