The UConn Women’s Basketball team once again proved their dominance in the NCAA tournament as they advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 83-47 win over Syracuse.
From the opening tip-off, the Huskies showed their focus and intensity, dominating the Orangemen on both ends of the court. UConn’s defense was suffocating, holding Syracuse to just 18 first-half points while the Huskies’ offense was firing on all cylinders, scoring 44 points in the first half alone.
Junior guard Christyn Williams led the way for UConn, scoring a game-high 26 points on an impressive 10-for-14 shooting performance. Williams also chipped in four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
“I just tried to be real aggressive this game,” said Williams. “My teammates helped me a lot, just getting me open and giving me the ball when I was open.”
Junior forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa also had a solid game for the Huskies, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Nelson-Ododa’s presence in the paint was a key factor in UConn’s dominant performance, as she repeatedly blocked shot attempts and altered others.
“We just wanted to come out and play our game and be solid,” said Nelson-Ododa. “We executed our game plan today and that’s what we’re going to have to do going forward.”
While the Huskies offense was clicking, their defense was equally impressive. UConn held Syracuse to just 31% shooting from the field and 24% from beyond the arc. The Huskies also forced 19 turnovers, turning many of them into easy baskets on the other end.
“Our defense was great today,” said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. “We wanted to make things difficult for Syracuse and I thought we did a good job of that.”
With the win, UConn advances to the Sweet 16, where they will face either Iowa or Kentucky. Despite their dominant performance, Auriemma knows there is still work to be done.
“We can’t get too high after this win,” said Auriemma. “We’ve got to keep working and getting better if we want to reach our ultimate goal.”
The UConn Women’s Basketball team is no stranger to success in the NCAA tournament, having won 11 national championships in program history. With their dominant performance over Syracuse, the Huskies are once again showing why they are one of the top teams in the country and a serious contender to add another championship to their already impressive resume.