UConn Topples Arkansas State in First Round
STORRS – The UConn Huskies opened the 2025 NCAA Tournament by steamrolling Arkansas State, 103-34. Geno Auriemma’s squad dominated from the initial tip, posting big numbers on its way to the second round, where they will meet the winner of the Oklahoma State vs. South Dakota State matchup on Monday.
Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong led the scoring charge, but it was the team’s defensive prowess that made this game a blowout. They had a block party in Storrs, swatting away 13 shots while holding Arkansas State to 17.1 percent shooting from the field. The Red Wolves got the first basket to take a 2-0 lead but then allowed 22 unanswered points and the rout was on.
Arkansas State entered the tournament leading the nation in three-pointers made and attempted per game but only managed to finish shooting 15 percent from behind the arc. The score was 66-16 at halftime.
“The ball was moving really well today,” Fudd said. “People were open and shooting when they were open. So it was a lot of fun just to see everyone have confidence, shooting the ball when they're open, not hesitating.”
The Huskies stuck to their game plan, running their opponents off the perimeter and forcing them into the paint where the size of Strong, Ice Brady, and Jana El Alfy consumed the smaller Arkansas State lineup. Fudd dropped 27 points with seven assists, six steals, and two blocks.
“It's March. It's not a time to get complacent. It's that time of year to pick everything apart because this is the time where it’s little things that cause you to lose in big games,” she said. “So making sure that we just have every single thing tightened up, like no turnovers, no silly fouls, all that kind of stuff. Cleaning all that up will be important.”
Fudd added the team has stressed the importance of taking care of what they can control. The senior played her first NCAA Tournament game in two years, in 2023, when Paige Bueckers was out injured. The roster is as healthy as it’s been in years. Fudd has been playing better defensively as well, as the career-high six steals indicated.
“I try to get in the passing lane more, and that's what I've been trying to do, and I've gotten more
comfortable with it. So just being aggressive today, trying to get in the passing lane,” she said.
Strong added 20 on a 9-10 shooting performance with 12 rebounds, five assists, and a game-high five blocks. Ashlynn Shade scored 20 points as well while Bueckers added 11.
“Everything was pretty much going our way, so that really helped,” Strong said of her NCAA Tournament debut. “Excited for the next one.”
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma noted that while the Huskies made a ton of shots, shared the ball well, and played hard defensively, they have to remain focused. They did what they were supposed to do on Saturday afternoon.
“The talent gap is huge. So you should expect to play really, really well. Now, no one deserves to shoot 70% or whatever we shot in the first half, but you do have to play at a whole higher level than the team you're playing against because the talent is so great,” he said.