STORRS, Conn. – The UConn Huskies showcased their dominance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, defeating the Arkansas State Red Wolves 103-34 in a historic first round match on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This overwhelming victory was marked by a stunning performance that saw UConn lead the game from the very beginning, obscuring Arkansas State’s tournament debut with a decisive rout.
From the opening tip-off, the second-seeded Huskies demonstrated their prowess, quickly establishing a 22-2 lead, with their defense forcing turnovers and their offense capitalizing with fast break points. They ended the first quarter with a staggering 34-5 advantage, leaving the Red Wolves struggling to find their rhythm. The first quarter proved particularly brutal for Arkansas State, which experienced significant pressure from UConn's relentless defense, resulting in a total of 16 turnovers before halftime.
As the game progressed, UConn kept their foot on the gas pedal, outscoring Arkansas State 32-11 in the second quarter to take a commanding 66-16 lead at halftime. This 50-point advantage marked the second-largest halftime lead in NCAA Tournament history, surpassed only by the Huskies' own record set in 2018.
Azzi Fudd, in her first NCAA Tournament since 2023, spearheaded the attack, scoring a postseason career-high of 27 points. She was particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 67% of her three-pointers, finishing the game with 6-of-9 shooting from deep, coupled with 7 assists and 6 steals. Fudd’s blend of scoring and defensive tenacity led to her setting a UConn Tournament record for points scored in a half, matching the legendary Maya Moore.
UConn’s freshman sensation, Sarah Strong, also made a significant impact, recording her fourth consecutive double-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Strong showcased her shooting accuracy, hitting a remarkable 90% of her shots from the field and establishing herself as a force both offensively and defensively on her March Madness debut.
Sophomore Ashlynn Shade contributed significantly to the scoreline as well, tallying 20 points with a shooting efficiency of 71%. Paige Bueckers, another star of the UConn squad, rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points and contributed 4 assists, further solidifying her presence among UConn’s all-time leaders in assists and points.
The Red Wolves, on the other hand, managed only 34 points against a UConn defense that allowed Arkansas State to score just 6 field goals in the first half. Zyion Shannon was their leading scorer with only 11 points, highlighting the challenges faced by the team throughout the matchup.
The final score, 103-34, not only illustrates UConn's dominance but also sets the stage for their next matchup. The Huskies will face the winner of the Oklahoma State versus South Dakota State game on Monday evening, March 24, 2025, as they aim to advance further in the tournament.
UConn’s historic victory underscores the program's ongoing legacy of excellence in women's basketball. The 69-point margin is reminiscent of their previous record win against St. Francis in 2018, reinforcing their status as a perennial powerhouse in the NCAA landscape.
In what was undeniably a remarkable display of talent and teamwork, the Huskies not only achieved a commanding victory but also broke a program record with 13 blocks in the game, marking their defensive capabilities as a significant factor in their tournament run.
While Arkansas State will have to regroup and rethink their strategies for future seasons, UConn's showing sets a high bar for what's to come in this NCAA tournament. As they continue their quest for a national championship, fans will undoubtedly remain eager to see how far this talented team can go.
