New York witnessed an extraordinary display of basketball prowess as the No. 2 UConn women's basketball team asserted their dominance over the No. 22 Louisville team in the highly anticipated Women's Champions Classic. Held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, UConn routed the Cardinals with a resounding 85 - 52 victory.

UConn's Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd Lead the Charge

Freshman Sarah Strong's Impressive Performance

Sarah Strong, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2024, continued her stellar form with her second consecutive game scoring 20-plus points. Against Louisville, she logged 21 points along with eight rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal. Her offensive skills were on full display as she hit 8 - for - 10 from the field and 3 - for - 5 from 3 - point range. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised her, stating, "Sarah brings a dimension that … we haven’t had in a post player. She has an offensive skillset that is truly remarkable."This performance added a new dimension to UConn's lineup, making them a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to score and contribute on both ends of the court was crucial in leading the team to victory.

Star Guard Azzi Fudd's Second - Half Struggles and Comeback

Azzi Fudd, the star guard, looked like the best version of herself in just her second start of the season. She finished 6 - for - 10 from the field for 18 points, including a team - high four 3 - pointers. However, her game took a turn when she got tangled with a pair of Louisville players and fell to the ground holding her right knee with more than six minutes left in the third quarter.After a brief moment on the bench, she returned with under three minutes left in the quarter, giving a thumbs up to her teammates. Despite the scare, she showed her resilience and determination. Throughout her college career, Fudd has been plagued by injuries and has never played more than 25 games in a season. This incident added another chapter to her injury - prone history.

UConn's Offensive Explosion in the First Quarter

The Huskies got off to an electric start offensively. Fudd assisted by Paige Bueckers hit a 3 - pointer in transition to begin their scoring. Strong followed suit with one of her own, and UConn went 5 - for - 9 from the field over the first five minutes. They continued their momentum and went on a 10 - 0 run in the first quarter, with Fudd hitting her second 3 - pointer right before the buzzer. Most of this run occurred with Bueckers on the bench, highlighting the depth and scoring ability of the team.Paige Bueckers, the superstar point guard, struggled in the first half, going 0 - for - 6 from the field. But she made up for it with her defensive presence and six rebounds. She also added four assists, including a crucial one to Fudd for a buzzer - beater 3 - pointer that sent the Huskies into halftime leading by 25.

UConn's Second - Half Performance with Younger Players

Even after Fudd left the game, UConn continued to dominate. They went on a 13 - 3 run over six minutes in the third quarter with their younger players stepping up. Auriemma played Bueckers for just 26 minutes in total, giving more playing time to the less - experienced lineups.The bench was led by Ashlynn Shade with 13 points and four rebounds shooting 6 - for - 9. However, UConn allowed a 7 - 0 Louisville run to end the third quarter and an 11 - 0 early in the fourth. Strong finally ended the Louisville run with a 3 - pointer. UConn gave up 19 points in the fourth quarter after holding Louisville under 15 in the previous three quarters, showing the challenges they faced in the final stretch.Overall, UConn's performance in the Women's Champions Classic was a testament to their team strength and individual talents. Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd's performances were key factors in their victory, while the team's offensive and defensive efforts throughout the game demonstrated their championship - caliber abilities.