On Sunday, January 5th, the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team took on their longstanding rival, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game was held at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana, and was nationally televised on ESPN.
Despite Notre Dame’s home court advantage, UConn came out strong and dominated the game from start to finish. The Huskies scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back, ultimately winning by a score of 89-71.
The win was a statement victory for UConn. They entered the game ranked fifth in the country while Notre Dame was ranked ninth, and the victory solidified UConn’s spot as a national contender.
Several players stood out for UConn during the game. Freshman phenom Paige Bueckers continued her impressive season, scoring 18 points and dishing out six assists. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Christyn Williams added 13 points and seven rebounds.
It was also a record-breaking game for UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. With the win, Auriemma surpassed Tennessee coach Pat Summitt for the most victories in women’s basketball history. He now has 1,099 career wins and counting.
After the game, both Auriemma and his players spoke about the importance of the win, particularly against a rival like Notre Dame. “It’s a rivalry game, it always will be,” Auriemma said. “Notre Dame’s program is amazing, and we knew we had to be really good today.”
Bueckers echoed Auriemma’s sentiments, saying, “It’s a big time game, a big time rivalry. To come out and get a win like this is huge for our program and for all of us.”
The win over Notre Dame was just the latest impressive performance from UConn this season. They currently have a 7-0 record and have defeated several other top-ranked opponents, including Baylor and Tennessee.
Despite the challenges of playing during a pandemic, UConn’s women’s basketball team has remained focused and determined. With their eye on a national championship, they will continue to pursue excellence as the season progresses.