Trailing at Halftime UConn Wins the Second Half in an 83 – 69 Victory
VILLANOVA, PA 2/18/2026 –
In the previous meeting between Villanova and the University of Connecticut in New England, UConn won and won it big. This time the Wildcats prepared for a battle and made this a very competitive game. But in the end the Huskies found a way to grind out an 83 – 69 win at the Finneran Pavilion. Villanova held a 40 – 37 lead at halftime, the first time this season that UConn trailed at halftime. The third quarter was the difference, but the effort by Nova this time is meaningful to this team.
“It’s really important,” said Villanova forward Danae Carter. “We know we have to fight for all four quarters, just try to keep the energy going, that momentum going. I think we took some plays off, but next time we’ll work harder keeping that fight.”
Third Quarter Turned the Tide
UConn guard Azzi Fudd got the half started with a three pointer followed by baskets by KK Arnold and Sarah Strong which got the Huskies rolling. Defensively they held Villanova scoreless for the first two-plus minutes. Then leading 49 – 44 at the 5:57 mark Sarah Strong picked up her fourth foul. A chance was there for the Wildcats. They cut the gap to four halfway through the quarter, but got no closer. The Huskies needed contributions from the bench and got it holding off the Wildcats.
“Give them credit,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “They stuck to their game plan. I think we let up on what we needed to do, the focus and attention on the defensive end and rebound the basketball. Just miss a possession here or there, they are going to take advantage, and that’s what happened.”
“You don’t really find out a lot about your team in the a lot of the wins by a large margin that don’t put you in situations where you have to play under some sort of adversity,” said UConn Coach Geno Auriemma. The lineup we had out there wasn’t exactly the lineup we have often. It’s nice to know that when you do need it, you’ve been in that situation. It’s a great learning experience for you team.”
Strong Strong Coming Back into the Game
Coming back into the game in the fourth quarter Strong scored 9 consecutive points for the Huskies. The combination of Fudd and Strong put up 18 of the 20 UConn points in the fourth quarter.
“She’s a very determined kid who takes things personally. She takes things to heart,” Auriemma said about Strong. “I knew as soon as I would get her back in, she would have some kind of impact, somehow.”
First Half for Villanova
The Wildcats led the game for over 16 minutes while shooting 44.5% compared to 40.6% for the Huskies. Nova had 7 three-pointers to 4 for UConn. Jasmine Bascoe scored 18 points in that initial 20 minutes and Carter added 10 points. Villanova won the first quarter 22 – 19 while the second quarter was even at 18.
“Overall disappointed we didn’t sustain the momentum we had and making it a possession game as we had wanted,” Dillon said. “UConn got the best of us in that second half.”
What the Numbers Say
Carter scored a career-high 21 points and also set her collegiate-best with 3 made three point field goals being a perfect 3 for 3 from distance. Bascoe had a game-best in points at 26 and dishing 7 assists. She has 12 games scoring twenty or more points this season.
Turnovers were a major factor as Nova had 26 miscues, the same number at UConn this season. It tied their season-high. All but two Wildcats who played had at least 2 turnovers. The Huskies turned the ball over 18 times, and had a 28 – 12 edge in points off turnovers.
Fudd scored 25 points while Strong added 21 points. They combined to score 21 points in the first half, then posted 25 in the second. Ashlynn Shade filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Up Next
Villanova (21 – 6, 14 – 4) ends their home schedule on Sunday against Marquette. The Wildcats hold on to second place in the Big East.
UConn continues their unbeaten season at 28 – 0 and are a perfect 17 – 0 in conference. Providence comes to Storrs on Saturday.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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