Women's basketball takeaways: 11/21 edition

We might have just had the game of the year last night. Plus, an upset and several incredible performances. Here are my takeaways from the slate.

1. UConn/Michigan might’ve been the game of the year

If you weren’t tuned in to FOX at 8pm EST last night, you just might’ve missed the best game of the year. UConn had a hefty lead at halftime, but Syla Swords had something to say about that. 

In the third quarter, Michigan held UConn to just four points and brought this game within reach. But in the fourth quarter, it was pure cinema. Swords and Azzi Fudd were trading triples and the game was back-and-forth until the very last possession. 

UConn remains undefeated with the best resume win of anyone in the country – and Michigan is absolutely legit. 

2. I’m still not sold on either USC or Notre Dame

The other blockbuster game of the night was USC at Notre Dame. While this was a major momentum win for the Irish as they came out victorious in a 61-59 victory, I’m not fully sold on either team quite yet. 

There were a combined 38 turnovers, the Irish continued to struggle from deep and USC’s Jazzy Davidson had some real freshman moments despite her impact on the game. I do think this was fairly evenly-matched, and for that, it was fun. Both of these teams have the potential to improve immensely this season.

3. Notable results

UConn 72, Michigan 69

Notre Dame 61, USC 59

Syracuse 61, Utah 49

Charleston 75, Quinnipiac 71

Idaho State 58, Portland 57

Northwestern 75, Cleveland State 68

Colorado State 64, Oregon State 58

4. Key stat lines

Vanderbilt’s Aga Makurat: 21 points, 5/11 from deep, 1 steal

Old Dominion’s Simone Cunningham: 23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks 

East Carolina’s Anzhané Hutton: 26 points, 13 rebounds

UNCW’s Kylah Silver: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists

Quinnipiac’s Ella Ryan: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

Hampton’s Kayla Lezama: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals, 1 block

Providence’s Sabou Gueye: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals

Dayton’s Nayo Lear: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals

Cleveland State’s Colbi Maples: 24 points, 6/10 from deep

Northwestern’s Claire Keswick: 18 points, 6/14 from deep, 2 assists

Northwestern’s Grace Sullivan: 20 points, 11 rebounds

Michigan’s Syla Swords: 29 points, 8/14 from deep, 9 rebounds, 3 assists

UConn’s Azzi Fudd: 31 points, 7/12 from deep, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Tulane’s Kanija Daniel: 25 points, 4/7 from deep, 1 steal, 1 block

North Dakota State’s Avery Koenen: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals

NAU’s Naomi White: 28 points, 4/9 from deep, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Arizona’s Mickayla Perdue: 27 points, 4/9 from deep, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Boise State’s Tatum Thompson: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Oregon State’s Jenna Villa: 22 points, 4/6 from deep, 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Cal Poly’s Vanessa McManus: 34 points, 4/7 from deep, 7 rebounds, 4 assists

Sacramento State’s Rubi Gray: 26 points, 3 rebounds