UConn Dominates Notre Dame With Record-Breaking Victory

The top-ranked UConn Huskies women’s basketball team delivered a resounding statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, dismantling the No. 23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 85-47 at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. The victory not only snapped a three-game losing streak against the Irish but also marked the largest margin of victory for UConn in this storied rivalry. For a program with decades of dominance, this performance was a reminder of why Geno Auriemma’s Huskies are still the gold standard in women’s college basketball.

From the opening tip, UConn’s intent was clear. Sarah Strong, the Huskies’ sophomore sensation, set the tone by controlling the first possession and quickly connecting with Azzi Fudd on a high-low play. The Huskies stormed out to an 8-0 lead in the game’s opening minutes, forcing Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey to call an early timeout. By the end of the first quarter, UConn had built a 16-7 advantage, thanks in large part to Strong and Fudd combining for ten points and a defense that forced the Irish into missing their first seven shots.

Notre Dame, led by star point guard Hannah Hidalgo, entered the contest with hopes of extending their three-game winning streak over UConn—a run that included a 79-68 victory last season in South Bend. Hidalgo, who has been the engine for the Irish all season, averaging 25 points per game, struggled to find her rhythm against the relentless UConn defense. She finished with just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, well below her usual output, and managed only two assists while committing three turnovers.

UConn’s defensive pedigree shone throughout the night. The Huskies entered the matchup allowing just 49.8 points per game over their last ten contests, and they suffocated Notre Dame’s offense, holding them to a season-low 47 points. The Irish, who typically average 86.3 points per game, were stifled by UConn’s pressure, ball denial, and ability to turn defense into offense. The Huskies forced Notre Dame into three turnovers in the first three minutes of the second half alone, sparking an 8-0 run that blew the game wide open.

Offensively, UConn showcased the balanced attack that has made them so formidable this season. All five starters finished in double figures, with Sarah Strong leading the way. Strong posted an 18-point double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds and stuffing the stat sheet with three steals, three blocks, and three assists. Her versatility and poise have been hallmarks of her breakout sophomore campaign, as she entered the game averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.7 steals while shooting a staggering 42% from beyond the arc.

Azzi Fudd, despite a tough night from three-point range, still managed to pour in 15 points by attacking the rim and converting tough layups. KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade each contributed timely baskets, with Shade and Strong hitting back-to-back threes in the second quarter to push UConn’s lead to 28-14. By halftime, the Huskies led 32-23, and it was clear that Notre Dame would need a miraculous turnaround to keep pace.

Geno Auriemma’s squad came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. UConn embarked on a dominant 18-2 run, converting their last seven field goal attempts in that stretch and extending the lead to 52-27 with just over three minutes to play in the period. Notre Dame, desperate for answers, called two timeouts in three minutes, but nothing could slow the Huskies’ onslaught. Entering the fourth quarter, UConn held a commanding 59-35 advantage.

There were fireworks late in the game as UConn’s Serah Williams and Notre Dame’s Gisele Sanchez were assessed offsetting technical fouls after a heated exchange under the basket. Williams calmly sank one of her free throws, and UConn closed out the contest with a final defensive stand, underscoring their intensity from start to finish.

This win was more than just a statistical anomaly—it was a statement. UConn’s 85-47 triumph set a new record for the largest margin of victory against Notre Dame in series history, surpassing the previous mark of 27 points set back in January 2002. The Huskies also flirted with another milestone, coming close to holding Notre Dame to their lowest point total ever in the rivalry (the record stands at 44).

For Notre Dame, the loss was a sobering reminder of the challenges that come with facing the nation’s best on the road. The Irish entered the game with a 2-3 record away from home and had dropped their last two road contests to unranked opponents. Their struggles continued in Storrs, as UConn’s home-court advantage and fast-break prowess (the Huskies lead the Big East with 18.3 fast-break points per game) proved too much to handle.

Ball movement was another area where UConn’s superiority was evident. The Huskies, averaging a remarkable 24.3 assists per game, consistently found the open player and turned good shots into great ones. Notre Dame, by comparison, managed just 15.5 assists per game and struggled to create quality looks against UConn’s swarming defense. The Huskies’ efficient offense, highlighted by a 52.4% field goal percentage, was on full display as they picked apart the Irish with precision passing and smart shot selection.

The broadcast of this highly anticipated matchup was carried live on FOX, with streaming options available via FuboTV, DirecTV, and SlingTV. Fans unable to catch the action on television tuned in to the UConn Sports Network and Fox Sports Radio 97.9, ensuring the excitement reached Husky Nation far and wide.

With this win, UConn improved to a perfect 19-0 on the season, further solidifying their status as the team to beat in women’s college basketball. Geno Auriemma’s group has now won all but two of their games by at least 26 points, and their only close calls came against top-20 opponents Louisville and Michigan earlier in the campaign. The Huskies’ blend of stifling defense, unselfish offense, and star power has them primed for another deep postseason run.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a tough stretch that has seen them drop three of their last six games. With a 12-6 overall record and a 4-3 mark in ACC play, the Fighting Irish remain a dangerous team, but Monday’s defeat may well see them fall out of the AP Top 25.

As the final buzzer sounded in Gampel Pavilion, the Huskies celebrated not just a win, but a statement of intent. Snapping the losing streak against their longtime rivals in such emphatic fashion, UConn sent a clear message to the rest of the nation: the road to the championship still runs through Storrs.