UConn women's basketball devastates USC with 28-point deficit
The No. 1 UConn (10-0) women’s basketball team decimated the No. 16 Southern California Trojans (7-3) 79-51 in a top-20 matchup.
With the Huskies’ dominating victory, this pushes their winning streak to 26, which is the longest stretch since the 2017-2018 season. Additionally, Connecticut snapped USC’s 19 home game winning streak.
In what seemed like an anticipated clash for both programs, the contest quickly sprang out of control for Southern California as Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s top stars could not produce.
Jazzy Davidson, who leads the team with just over 16.5 points per meeting, ended the night with 10 points. This is her second-fewest points accumulated in the 2025-2026 campaign. Through the first half, the Huskies held the freshman to just two points.
As for UConn, four players exceeded 10-plus points, with Azzi Fudd paving the way. The senior contributed 17 points, three rebounds and four assists. Within 29 minutes, the guard splashed three of five (60%) shots from within the arc, sniped three of six (50%) threes and made a pair of free throws.
Behind Fudd, Ashlynn Shade dropped 15 points, grabbed four boards and dished out four assists. In the same fashion as Fudd, the junior swished three of five (60%) shots from the paint and drained three of six (50%) tries from long range.
Alongside the top two scorers, Sarah Strong finished the night with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals. As for Blanca Quiñonez, who shined in the first half, the 18-year-old had 12 points, four boards, two assists and four steals.
When it comes to the difference maker, Connecticut forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 26 points. In total, the squad snatched the ball 14 times from Southern California. To add on, UConn thrived from the field, sinking 44 paint points, while the Trojans could only knock down 22 points.
As expected, UConn and USC started the game trading buckets for the lead. After winning the tipoff, the Huskies kicked off the scoring with Fudd burying a layup. The Trojans nearly saw a quick five-point deficit as KK Arnold stole the ball, but Shade missed the deep shot. Kara Dunn responded with a shot from downtown, forcing Connecticut to trail for the first time since Nov. 16 against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
With two minutes left in the first quarter, Southern California began to feel Connecticut’s pressure. The team experienced a five-minute drought and botched 10 consecutive field goals, giving the reigning National Champions the opening to extend their lead. During USC’s dry spell, UConn capitalized on a 15-0 run. In the first minute of the second quarter, the shutout finally ended when Davidson nailed a jumper.
In the starting lineup, Serah Williams took over, banking six points within two minutes. Quiñonez, who checked in at the three-minute mark of the opening quarter, made her presence known. The freshman added six points to the scoreboard and snagged the ball twice.
Despite getting back on track, not much came from it as the Trojans dug themselves into another hole. With slightly over four minutes left before halftime, Southern California misfired on its last eight shots from the field, allowing the Huskies to further their lead with a 9-0 run.
With just under three minutes remaining in the first half, USC found an opportunity to close the deficit by cashing in on three straight buckets. However, UConn wasted no time and answered with a three-pointer from Fudd and a jumper from Shade. This put Southern California down by 22 points at halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Huskies continued right where they left off with heavy defensive pressure and great offensive finishing. In just five minutes of the third quarter, the squad knocked down 16 points. USC tried finding its groove, but faced challenges with miscue plays as they turned over five possessions.
Regardless of the Trojans’ struggles, the third quarter was by far their best performance. Collectively, the team dropped 22 points, which was the first double-digit quarter of the contest for Southern California.
Other than three points to begin the final quarter, not much swayed in UConn’s favor as they witnessed a five-minute slump. Strong broke the drought with a second-chance shot from long range.
Up next, UConn will return to the People’s Bank Arena to host the Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
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