Top seeded UConn is heading back to the Final Four but this time, it wasn’t their biggest stars who led the way.
Freshman standout Blanca Quiñonez delivered a breakout performance, scoring 20 points to power the Huskies to a 70–52 win over Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Elite Eight. Her early scoring surge 14 points in the first half kept UConn in control while All Americans Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong struggled to find their rhythm.
Quiñonez’s impact was especially crucial against a more physical Notre Dame squad, which adjusted after a lopsided loss to UConn earlier in the season. Despite their defensive effort, the Irish couldn’t generate enough offense beyond star guard Hannah Hidalgo, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
UConn’s depth proved to be the difference. Alongside Quiñonez, guard Kayleigh Heckel played a key defensive role, helping limit Hidalgo early and giving the Huskies valuable minutes off the bench.
As the game progressed, UConn’s stars eventually took over. Strong led all scorers with 21 points, including a dominant fourth quarter, while Fudd added 13 points and helped close the door late.
The win marks UConn’s 25th Final Four appearance and 17th in the past 18 tournaments reinforcing the program’s sustained dominance under coach Geno Auriemma.
Still, slow starts from Fudd and Strong in back to back games raise questions as the Huskies push toward another title. UConn will face the winner of the matchup between South Carolina Gamecocks and TCU Horned Frogs in the Final Four in Phoenix.
