The UConn Women’s Basketball team celebrated their senior night with a dominant performance over the St. John’s Red Storm on Monday, March 1st. The Huskies came away with a score of 77-41, and it was a fitting tribute to the senior class of Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, and Aaliyah Edwards.
The first half of the game belonged to the Huskies. They jumped out to a 24-2 lead thanks in part to the dominant play of Nelson-Ododa. She scored eight of the first ten UConn points, helping the team establish their early lead. The Red Storm were able to put together a few good possessions to close out the quarter, but it was clear that the Huskies were in control.
The second quarter saw the Huskies maintain their lead, as Westbrook began to make her presence felt. She scored seven of her 14 points in the quarter and helped lead the defense as the Huskies held the Red Storm to just eight points in the quarter. The halftime score was 44-17 in favor of the Huskies, and the game was all but over.
The second half was more of the same as the Huskies continued to dominate on both ends of the court. Nelson-Ododa finished the game with 19 points and ten rebounds, while Westbrook added 14 points and a career-high seven steals. Edwards, the freshman standout, also contributed with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The win was not just a celebration of the senior class, but also a return to form for the Huskies after a disappointing loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks just a few days prior. The team played with energy and intensity on both ends of the court and looked like the national championship contenders they are known to be.
The Huskies have now won 19 straight home games at Gampel Pavilion and are undefeated in conference play with a record of 18-1. They will face off against the Marquette Golden Eagles in their final regular-season game on Monday, March 8th. The team will then turn their attention to the Big East Tournament, where they will look to secure their place as both the conference and national champions.
In the end, the UConn Women’s Basketball team’s senior night was a fitting tribute to the senior class and a reminder of just how dominant this team can be when they play to their potential. With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, the Huskies are poised to make yet another run at a national championship.