HARTFORD – It came down to the final moments, and for the No. 4 UConn Women’s Basketball team, it was just out of reach. On Saturday night, UConn faced off against the No. 7 USC Trojans, resulting in a nail-biting 72-70 loss during their rematch from the NCAA Elite Eight. Played at the XL Center before a sold-out crowd, the Huskies had their chances, but it wasn’t enough.
The game hung on the final possession, where freshman Sarah Strong had the chance to tie the game with five seconds left after being fouled by Juju Watkins. Despite making her first free throw, Strong missed her second and third attempts, and the Trojans escaped with the win by just two points. Head Coach Geno Auriemma offered words of encouragement for Strong, saying, "Nobody’s more disappointed than she [Strong] is right now... I would put her inthatmoment, every single game for the rest of the season, and have confidence she’s going to come through.”
Strong had been pivotal throughout the contest, recording her third double-double of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds. "Just to be clear,that game was not won or lost on those three free throws,” said UConn star Paige Bueckers following the game. "Sarah [Strong] was huge for our second half comeback and the reason we were even in this game.”
UConn's first half was rocky, as they struggled offensively and found themselves trailing by nearly twenty points. Auriemma adjusted tactics, switching to small-ball lineups featuring Strong at the No. 5 position, and this bolstered their defense. By halftime, the score was 42-29.
During the second half, UConn emerged with renewed vigor. Sophomore KK Arnold played incredibly well off the bench, contributing both offensively and defensively. "She brings different intensity and spark," Bueckers noted. Arnold’s defensive efforts were instrumental as UConn attempted to claw back from their significant deficit.
Despite outscoring USC 41-30 after halftime, the missed opportunities lingered. Watkins highlighted her aptitude for leading the Trojans with 25 points, but it was clear UConn’s fight was commendable. The loss carried significant weight, especially as this was USC’s first victory over UConn under the helm of Coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
"This is areally significant win ... to bring a team here and knowthat we could do it and then to actually do it is incredibly meaningful,” Gottlieb expressed postgame. This win holds redemption for the Trojans, eliminating the painful memory of their elimination by UConn during the previous year's Elite Eight.
UConn’s struggles stemmed from inconsistent play. Auriemma lamented this during the press conference, stating the key to success lay with stringent commitment throughout the game. "When we’re really good, we’re really good, and when we’re not, we’re not,” Bueckers added, emphasizing the need for consistency.
Notably, UConn’s performance is marked by their need to work on their perimeter shooting, finishing only 6-for-23 beyond the arc against the Trojans. On the other hand, USC thrived with 9 out of 15 three-point attempts, showcasing their shooting prowess. The Huskies held on bravely, but missing key shots at pivotal moments opened the door for USC’s defense to close ranks.
The post-game reflections were filled with the realization of the distance still to cover for UConn before their next match on Dec. 29 against Providence. Both Auriemma and the players recognized their need to evolve and adapt if they wanted to return to form heading toward the NCAA tournament.
Sarah Strong summed it up perfectly: "It hurts to lose. I don’t like losing.” The sentiment echoed among UConn’s players. They'll have some time over the holidays to regroup and work toward their goal of consistent high-level performance on the court.
With the holiday break upon them, UConn is set to return to the XL Center to take on the Providence Friars, as they strive to bounce back from this heart-wrenching loss.
