STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 45 games Sunday with an 81-38 victory over Providence at Gampel Pavilion, a performance highlighted by a program-record-tying 39 forced turnovers.
Senior guard Azzi Fudd contributed 13 points and four steals in what was her final regular-season game at Gampel Pavilion. KK Arnold added eight points, eight assists and a season-high seven steals, while Sarah Strong scored 13 points in 13 minutes of play. The Huskies (29-0, 18-0 Big East) have now won 56 consecutive conference regular season games.
UConn’s defensive pressure was relentless, resulting in a season-high 26 steals – the seventh time this season the Huskies have recorded at least 20 steals in a game. Despite a slow start offensively, missing their first seven shots, UConn quickly established control by capitalizing on Providence’s miscues. A 18-0 run in the first quarter propelled the Huskies to a 21-5 lead at the end of the period.
The Huskies continued to dominate in the second quarter, adding a 10-0 run to extend their lead. They have now won 40 consecutive games against Providence, with 33 of those victories coming by a margin of at least 25 points. UConn led 40-14 at halftime, holding Providence to a season-low 14 first-half points.
Prior to the game, UConn honored its five seniors – Ice Brady, Caroline Ducharme, Azzi Fudd, Ayanna Patterson, and Serah Williams. Brady, however, did not play, having recently undergone season-ending knee surgery.
Princess Moody led Providence (14-15, 7-11) with 11 points, while Payton Dunbar added nine.
UConn will next host Georgetown in Hartford on Thursday. The Huskies are also slated to play two NCAA tournament games at Gampel Pavilion and potentially as many as three Big East tournament games at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Providence will travel to Creighton on Thursday.
