UConn took advantage of a showcase game to make a statement, defeating No. 4 South Carolina 87-58 at the Colonial Life Arena. The No. 7 Huskies are now Final Four contenders peaking at the right time.
UConn’s Azzi Fudd found her stride in the second half, finishing with a game-high 28 points and shooting 50% overall from the field. Her teammate Paige Bueckers struggled, but when they both start clicking together, UConn becomes an unstoppable force.
Freddy Strong, a freshman forward, had 16 points and 13 rebounds, providing the final piece of the main puzzle. Ashlynn Shade’s three-point shooting was crucial in the first half, as UConn hit 50% from beyond the arc to open a 45-23 lead.
The loss hurts South Carolina’s chances to repeat as national champions. The Gamecocks lacked an offensive star and struggled on the glass, with 14 fewer points in the paint than UConn. Joyce Edwards is developing into a dominant force, but not yet at full strength.
UConn needs efficiency from the perimeter to compete deeper into the NCAA tournament. Fudd and Shade are crucial on this front, but the Huskies must find consistency if they want to make a deep run. With Fudd in top form, UConn is now a team to beat in the national title race.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/no-7-uconn-vs-no-4-south-carolina-takeaways-huskies-have-prime-time-players-like-azzi-fudd–gamecocks-not-so-much-213212130.html