The UConn women's basketball team faced its initial road challenge of the season but unfortunately fell to the highly ranked No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a score of 79 - 68. This setback marked a significant moment in their campaign as they struggled to establish dominance throughout the contest.

UConn's Season Road Struggle and Notre Dame's Victory

Early Struggles and Notre Dame's Quick Lead

UConn began the game with a series of turnovers and poor shooting, allowing Notre Dame to seize a quick five-point lead. Strong's back-to-back steals and baskets gave UConn the lead for the first time, but Hidalgo responded with two consecutive 3-pointers to regain the lead for the hosts. This early momentum shift set the tone for the rest of the game. 2: The Huskies' inability to settle in from the start was evident as they continued to make mistakes on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they struggled with turnovers and couldn't convert their scoring opportunities, while defensively, they gave up too many open shots to Notre Dame, who capitalized on every chance.

Second Quarter Challenges and Half-Time Deficit

Bueckers came alive in the second quarter, scoring 10 of the Huskies' 16 points. However, Strong's early exit due to three fouls put a strain on the team, and they suffered on both ends of the court. As a result, UConn went into the half down by 11, facing a significant uphill battle. 2: The Huskies' offensive struggles persisted in the second quarter, with turnovers and missed shots becoming a recurring theme. Notre Dame took advantage of their mistakes and extended their lead, making it difficult for UConn to mount a comeback in the second half.

Third Quarter Comeback Attempt and Fourth Quarter Collapse

Out of the locker room, the Huskies showed some fight and scored seven straight points to pull within four. They managed to get the deficit down to as little as one, but Hidalgo's buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave Notre Dame a 56 - 52 lead entering the fourth quarter. However, UConn's struggles continued as they turned the ball over three times and missed two shots in their first five possessions, allowing Notre Dame to extend their lead again. 2: Despite their best efforts, UConn couldn't recover in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame's 6 - 0 run sealed the victory, leaving the Huskies with their first loss of the season. The team now faces the challenge of regrouping and bouncing back as they return home to begin Big East play against Georgetown.With this loss, UConn's record drops to 8 - 1. Their next game will be a crucial one as they look to get back on track and start their Big East campaign on a positive note. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. ET from the XL Center.