In five conference contests in Omaha, the No. 5 UConn women’s basketball team beat the No. 22 Creighton Bluejays by 26.4 points per game. Entering Thursday evening, however, the Huskies’ average margin of victory at home over the Bluejays was nearly half as large at 13.25.
But in the 10th Big East battle between both schools, UConn clobbered Creighton 72-53 while securing their 12th straight conference regular season championship.
If home-court advantage has not played a significant role in the past, what made the Huskies’ 19-point victory appear more comfortable?
UCONN BASKETBALL MESSAGE BOARD | THE HUSKY HOUSE FORUM | UCONN BASKETBALL 2025 RECRUITING CLASS | UCONN FOOTBALL RECRUITING
Part of it involved Connecticut’s stout defense. The Huskies held the Bluejays to a 20-58 mark from the floor and forced 19 turnovers, 14 of which came in the first half. Those first-half giveaways, in particular, helped UConn contain Creighton’s offense to a point where they could create a respectable double-digit advantage.
Redshirt senior Paige Bueckers discussed the importance of communication and the press when discussing how the team’s defense has improved. For head coach Geno Auriemma, that consistent pressure on the Bluejays’ offense came with one goal in mind.
“Our whole objective was just to disrupt their rhythm,” Auriemma explained afterward. “I thought it was the turning point in the game.”
Nine-time Big East Freshman of the Week Sarah Strong, who dropped 26 points in last month’s meeting, struck again. Creighton’s frontcourt could not contain the three-time Big East Player of the Week, who nearly had a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds. Whether it involved a drive to the lane or a fierce block, Strong regularly built on the first offensive punch she delivered.
The two-time Big East Player of the Year took as many shots as the first-year forward did at 13 while flirting with a triple-double. Bueckers was not as efficient from the floor—she only made six of those attempts and went 0-1 from downtown. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-0 guard still scored 15 points, snagged seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.
Thursday marked the seventh time in the last eight games that Bueckers picked up at least five dimes. It has come about because of a strategic shift.
“We made a concerted effort to get the ball in her hands more often,” the 40th-year head coach said regarding the increase in the five-time Big East Player of the Week’s assists. “Paige is playing the way that she wants to play, and it is better for us to play that way.”
Kaitlyn Chen did not make a three-pointer in downtown Omaha last month. The Princeton transfer matched a season high with three, which accounted for nine of her 11 points in the return game. Fellow guard Azzi Fudd broke her two-game dry spell without a three-pointer late in the second quarter.
That corner trey accounted for one-third of Fudd’s nine points, which complemented her three rebounds and one block. Sophomores KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade had three rebounds and three steals apiece while combining for 11 points off the bench.
Morgan Maly and Molly Mogensen both flirted with double-doubles. Each guard grabbed seven rebounds, picked up one assist and had 20% of the Bluejays’ made field goals. Maly was Creighton’s only player with multiple triples, which helped her score 11 points. Mogensen played 33 minutes and had nine points. Leading scorer Lauren Jensen dealt with significant foul trouble, but still had seven points.
The Huskies missed as many shots (eight) as the Bluejays scored points in the first four minutes. With each bucket Creighton made, it almost felt like Connecticut was re-experiencing the rough start they suffered against the then-No. 7 USC Trojans.
But two layups from Strong re-energized the Hartford crowd as quickly as the Bluejays’ early 8-0 lead quieted them. The angst returned inside the XL Center when the Huskies went on another three-minute scoring drought; Arnold washed it away with a wide-open triple.
Fudd picked up the ball after the Wisconsin native’s steal 15 seconds later and landed the go-ahead floater. UConn possessed a slim 11-10 lead after the first quarter; Strong stretched that advantage up to nine in a three-minute span.
The North Carolina native scored all nine of her second-period points on three layups and a three-pointer before Creighton called their first timeout. It took the Bluejays another two possessions following that stoppage to end their 10-minute field goal drought.
Although Creighton went on to make four buckets in the frame, the Huskies consistently took the ball away. Connecticut forced eight more Bluejays turnovers in the second quarter and scored 17 of their 27 points off them. That included 10 of the Huskies’ last 12 points, which helped them take a 38-22 halftime advantage.
UConn’s starters remained on the court even with the lead growing to 20 late in the second half. The Huskies’ three leading scorers provided a balanced attack in a period where the team shot 11-15. Bueckers controlled the opening minutes, Strong scored nine straight points in the heart of the frame and Chen struck twice from downtown late.
Shade capped off the third quarter in style, dribbling behind her back and driving to the hoop for the layup. First-year guard Allison Heathcock scored the contest’s last six points, but by then, Connecticut had captured their 23rd Big East regular season crown.
The Huskies’ regular season concludes with Senior Day at Gampel Pavilion against the Marquette Golden Eagles. Tip-off on Sunday is at 2 p.m. on FS1.
--------------------------------------------------------------
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
