Forth Worth, TX — For a team that has spent the season cruising, UConn finally had to grind.
The top-ranked Huskies, unbeaten and riding a massive winning streak, faced a much tougher test Sunday in the Elite Eight. But when their offense sputtered early, their depth and defense carried them through in a 70-52 win over Notre Dame, sending UConn back to the Final Four.
It marks the program’s 25th Final Four appearance — and its 17th in the last 18 NCAA Tournaments.
UConn (38-0) now moves on to face the winner of South Carolina and TCU, sitting just two wins away from completing a perfect season and adding another national title.
Unlike many of their previous games, this one didn’t come easy.
The Huskies’ high-powered offense struggled out of the gate, with stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong held in check early. Notre Dame, which had been blown out by UConn earlier in the season, looked far more comfortable this time and matched the Huskies’ intensity from the opening tip.
Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish effort, helping keep the game tight through a physical, defense-heavy first half.
UConn found a spark from an unexpected source. Freshman Blanca Quiñonez stepped up early, scoring 12 first-quarter points to keep the Huskies afloat while their usual scorers searched for rhythm.
Notre Dame stayed within striking distance and cut the deficit to four midway through the second quarter, forcing a response from UConn. The Huskies answered with a brief surge to create separation and took a 32-25 lead into halftime.
Even then, the game felt very much in doubt.
Fudd and Strong — typically the engine of UConn’s offense — combined for just 10 points in the first half, their lowest output in any opening half this season.
But both stars came alive after the break.
Strong took control in the second half, scoring 15 of her 21 points after halftime, while Fudd added nine of her 13 in the final two quarters. Quiñonez continued her standout performance, finishing with 20 points in just her second career game at that mark.
Notre Dame refused to go away immediately, hanging close through much of the third quarter. But UConn finally created breathing room late in the period.
A layup from Jana El Alfy followed by a three-pointer from Strong pushed the lead into double digits — and this time, it held.
From there, the Huskies’ defense took over.
Hidalgo, who had delivered a historic performance in the previous round, was slowed early and never fully found a groove, finishing with 22 points on an inefficient shooting night.
Despite Notre Dame’s recent surge — winning 10 of its previous 11 games to reach this stage — it couldn’t overcome UConn’s balance and second-half execution.
The matchup carried added weight, as it was the first time the longtime rivals met in the NCAA Tournament with a Final Four berth on the line. And unlike their previous meeting, this one was decided not by a blowout, but by patience and resilience.
Now, UConn heads to the national semifinals with its perfect record intact — and a championship within reach.
