Heading into tonight’s Big East Championship match-up, UConn women’s basketball head coach, Geno Auriemma, knew there were things his team needed to fix – especially if they wanted to win. The message he sent to his players clearly struck a chord and influenced their play as they defeated No. 10 Villanova, 67-56, for the title. The victory marked the 28th time the UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball team has won the tournament in program history. And their TENTH consecutive win.
Proving her relentless dominance, Aaliyah Edwards posted her third consecutive double-double, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists. She was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Not to be outdone, teammate, Dorka Juhasz added 16 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks while Lou Lopez Senechal ended the game with 14 points and four rebounds. Three games into her return from a knee injury, Azzi Fudd, added 11 points and turned it up on defense with two steals. Nike Muhl distributed the rock well, finishing with eight assists, on top of five points, and six rebounds.
It was an all-around team effort.
Aaliyah Edwards receives the tournament’s most outstanding player pic.twitter.com/cZ7JXYBCZ2
— Christine Butterfield (@CBonsports) March 7, 2023
The Huskies’ defense held Villanova to 30% shooting from the field (21 of 70), and just 5 of 29 from the three-point line. Villanova looked like they had a fighting chance early in the second, getting within one point, but the Huskies wouldn’t let them stray too far ahead. And the Wildcats simply didn’t have an answer when UConn erupted for a 9-0 run.
In the second half, the Huskies emerged from the locker room with high energy, which transferred over into their offensive game. Play after play, Fudd, Juhasz, Muhl, and Edwards put on a show, putting UConn up, 44-29, early on. Villanova couldn’t maintain pace, and the Huskies outscored them, 27-15, securing the victory. The final score, 61-39, screams “blowout” because it truly was thanks to 62.5% shooting from the field by the Huskies.
Just another day as a Huskies basketball player, and another championship for the trophy case.
Next up, the Huskies await their NCAA Tournament seeding.
