Providence was the latest victim of the UConn conference magic.
UConn’s women basketball team finished off 2025 in fine – and familiar – fashion on Wednesday, defeating Providence 90-53 on its home floor.
The No. 1 Huskies (14-0, 5-0 Big East) used their characteristic big run to finish off the Friars early, dashing off 21 consecutive points to take a 30-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Azzi Fudd led the Huskies with 18 points and six assists, while Sarah Strong hit a career-tying five 3-point shots to finish with 17 points. Sensational freshman Blanca Quinonez scored 11 points.
UConn moved to 51-21 all-time vs. Providence and now has won the past 38 games between the two teams.
The schedule makers were not kind to the Friars (8-7, 1-3), setting a Dec. 28 game against No. 3 South Carolina before the New Year’s Eve game with UConn. Providence lost to South Carolina 96-55.
UConn’s defense was too much for the Friars. The Huskies limited them to just 35.4% shooting and pulled off 16 steals among 30 forced turnovers.
Defense also is a strength of Providence, and the Friars forced 21 UConn turnovers, a season high. But a key difference in the game was how the teams took advantage of the giveaways. UConn scored 41 points off turnovers, while Providence tallied just eight.
With a 70-35 lead after three quarters, UConn coach Geno Auriemma rested Strong and Fudd. All nine players who got in the game scored, with the bench contributing 33 points.
Sabou Gueye led the Friars with 12 points, while Payton Dunbar and Princess Moody each scored 11.
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Odds and ends
UConn played without starting guard KK Arnold (nasal fracture) and forward Ayanna Patterson (concussion), both of whom were injured in practice on Tuesday.
Sophomore guard Allie Ziebell made her first career start, subbing for Arnold. She scored nine points on 3-of-8 shooting, draining a trio of shots from long range.
UConn entered the game lead the nation with 24.3 assists per game and added 24 more on 33 made shots. The Huskies now have 20 assists or more in their past 13 games.
The defeat of Providence was the 52nd consecutive Big East win for the Huskies.
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