On January 5, 2025, the No. 7 UConn women’s basketball team faced off against the Villanova Wildcats at Finneran Pavilion, securing an impressive 83-52 victory to maintain their undefeated record in the Big East. With this win, the Huskies improved their overall record to 13-2 and solidified their league standing at 4-0.
Leading the charge for UConn was freshman Sarah Strong, who delivered a standout performance with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Strong's scoring prowess was evident from the get-go, as she notched 10 points during the first quarter, helping the Huskies to establish an early lead of 23-15. The game's momentum shifted significantly during the second quarter, where UConn's defense tightened, allowing only nine points from Villanova and taking them to the half with a 40-28 advantage.
UConn's commanding performance continued after halftime, highlighted by strong contributions from redshirt senior Paige Bueckers and sophomore KK Arnold, who each added 15 points. Bueckers also showcased her playmaking skills with nine assists before being forced to exit the game due to a left knee injury following a collision with a Villanova defender. The incident, which occurred during the third quarter, raised concerns, as Bueckers has previously battled injuries to the same knee. Walking off under her own power, her emotional return to the bench left fans hopeful for her recovery.
Aside from Strong and Bueckers, Arnold made her impact felt, achieving her second consecutive game with double-digit points, pulling through with 15. The Huskies shot remarkably well, finishing the game with 59.3% from the field and accumulating 30 assists, which reflected their cohesive teamwork.
Villanova struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, particularly inside the paint where they were overpowered by UConn, which held a decisive 48-8 advantage. Jasmine Bascoe was Villanova's leading scorer with 12 points, yet her efforts were not enough to withstand UConn's relentless offense.
The game's turning point appeared to be during the third quarter, after Villanova managed to close the gap early with an 8-0 scoring run, putting them within reach at 45-32. Nevertheless, UConn responded emphatically, outscoring the Wildcats 21-5 to finish the quarter with a substantial 66-37 lead. Villanova's shooting struggles continued, as they concluded their performance shooting only 33.3% from the field.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma, addressing the media postgame, expressed optimism about Bueckers' condition, stating, "She’s pretty good. She’ll be fine. She looks good. I’m optimistic." His sentiment provided much-needed reassurance to fans and teammates alike as they look forward to upcoming games.
Looking onwards, UConn is set to host Xavier at the XL Center on January 10, where they will also celebrate Pride Night, bringing attention to the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets for this match-up are already available, as the Huskies continue to build momentum as the season progresses.
Overall, the decisive win against Villanova not only preserved UConn's perfect conference record but also highlighted their depth and resilience, especially with young stars like Strong stepping up when needed. The emphatic victory serves as both a reminder of their dominance within the league and as preparation for tougher competition down the line.