The UConn Huskies hit the hardwood tonight against Holy Cross, marking their seventh game of the season. With their sights set on extending their winning streak, the Huskies eventually pulled ahead with a commanding 71-43 lead with the 6 minutes left in final quarter. However, the game’s beginning told a much different story. Despite the scoreboard favoring UConn, head coach Geno Auriemma was far from impressed.

Frustrated with his team’s shaky start, Auriemma didn’t mince words, offering critical comments that revealed his disbelief over the Huskies’ position as frontrunners early on. In a courtside chat after the first quarter, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said, “I would say the effort’s been really, really bad. And I would say we’ve been less than aggressive on offense… I would say I’m shocked we’re winning. I think the wrong team’s ahead at halftime.”

The Huskies had just scraped by with an 11-10 lead after a sluggish opening quarter, leaving Auriemma unimpressed with their performance. His blunt assessment set the tone for what needed to change moving forward. By the second quarter, UConn found its rhythm, outscoring Holy Cross by five points and carrying a modest six-point advantage into halftime. The third quarter, however, was where the Huskies truly made their mark, doubling Holy Cross’s output and all but sealing their victory with a dominant performance.

The game concluded with a dominant score line of 88-52 favoring the white and blues. Although Auriemma was clearly frustrated with his team’s slow start, there was one bright spot for both the coach and UConn fans—Azzi Fudd’s return to the starting lineup.

A promising return and freshman dominance highlight the Huskies’ night

The UConn’s #35 guard had made her season debut in November against Fairleigh Dickinson, but her first three appearances were limited to coming off the bench. Heading into the game against Holy Cross, however, Auriemma dropped a playful hint about her return to the starting lineup. When asked about the possibility, he responded with a sly smile and said, “I think that’s a good assumption,” punctuating his remark with a wink.

And just like that, she was back, reuniting on the court with her best friend, Paige Bueckers. However, her return was a measured one. Logging just 18 minutes of playtime, she managed to score 7 points, hitting 3 of her 6 field goal attempts. It wasn’t the most explosive comeback, but a step in the right direction. Interestingly, even Bueckers had a relatively quiet night, finishing with only 11 points. It wasn’t the duo’s best performance, but their presence together on the court still brought an undeniable energy to the Huskies.

Tuesday night belonged to Sarah Strong, the undeniable standout for Geno Auriemma’s squad. The freshman delivered a dominant performance, notching a game-high 22 points while sinking an impressive 9 of her 12 field goal attempts. Right behind her was Kaitlyn Chen, the transfer portal addition from earlier this year, who contributed a solid 14 points to the Huskies’ victory.

For Auriemma, who has expressed concerns about his team’s lack of experience, performances like Strong’s are certainly a reassuring sign. The freshman’s poise and skill in high-pressure moments hint at a promising future for UConn, showcasing the kind of depth and talent the team can rely on moving forward.