In front of 5,012 fans, the Huskies showcased their depth and defensive pressure, with seven players reaching double figures in scoring. Junior forward Sarah Strong led UConn with 15 points, while the Huskies’ balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Orange to overcome.
UConn established control from the opening tip, outscoring Syracuse 23-8 in the first quarter. The Orange struggled to find their rhythm, making just four of their first 17 field-goal attempts and missing all four of their shots from beyond the arc during the opening period.
Strong helped set the tone early, scoring seven points in the first quarter as the Huskies built a commanding advantage.
Syracuse responded with a much-improved second quarter. The Orange found their offensive rhythm behind newcomers Emely Rodriguez and Tyi Skinner, putting together a 10-2 scoring run that reduced the deficit to single digits.
Rodriguez connected from three-point range and added a driving layup, while Skinner contributed offensively in the paint. Syracuse won the second quarter 21-15, heading into halftime trailing 38-29 and showing signs of life after its slow start.
However, UConn quickly restored order after the break.
The Huskies opened the second half with renewed energy, applying defensive pressure and attacking the basket. An 8-0 run midway through the third quarter helped UConn stretch its advantage, and the Huskies carried a 63-43 lead into the final period.
UConn continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, eventually building a lead of as many as 32 points.
Seven Huskies Reach Double Figures
Strong paced the scoring effort with 15 points, while senior guard KK Arnold and sophomore Kelis Fisher contributed 11 points apiece. Freshman Jovana Popovic, redshirt junior Jana El Alfy, junior Kayleigh Heckel and freshman Olivia Vukosa each added 10 points.
Vukosa also made her presence felt on the glass, leading the Huskies with nine rebounds. Arnold contributed six assists and three steals, helping UConn maintain its pressure on both ends of the floor.
Popovic made her first appearance as a Husky and earned a starting assignment, providing an early glimpse of the talent available to UConn as the new season approaches.
Despite the comfortable victory, the Huskies still have areas to address. UConn shot 47.1% from the field but connected on just three of 22 attempts from three-point range. The team compensated by attacking the interior, where it held a decisive 56-24 advantage in points in the paint.
UConn also capitalized on Syracuse’s mistakes, turning 17 Orange turnovers into 25 points while recording 12 steals.
Syracuse Finds Encouraging Performances
Although the final margin was substantial, Syracuse showed improvement after its difficult opening quarter.
Rodriguez led the Orange with 14 points, knocking down two three-pointers and converting both of her free-throw attempts. Skinner finished with 12 points and added two steals.
Jaleesa Molina contributed eight points and six rebounds, while center Uche Izoje collected seven points and eight rebounds, including six offensive boards.
Syracuse shot 35.5% from the field and made five of 16 three-point attempts. The Orange also struggled at the free-throw line, converting 11 of 20 attempts.
For Syracuse, the exhibition provided an opportunity to evaluate its newcomers and test its offense against one of the nation’s premier programs. The team showed it could respond after a difficult start, but UConn’s defensive intensity and interior scoring ultimately created too large a gap to overcome.
Looking Ahead:
UConn will continue its preseason preparation next Monday against Texas in Hartford, Connecticut, as the Huskies work toward another competitive campaign. Syracuse will turn its attention to the regular season, opening at home against Sacred Heart on November 3.
Monday’s exhibition offered an early look at UConn’s scoring depth, defensive versatility and potential contributions from its newcomers. While preseason results do not determine what follows in the regular season, the Huskies delivered a convincing opening performance and demonstrated why they remain a formidable opponent in women’s college basketball.
Final Score: UConn 88, Syracuse 60
Game Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Attendance: 5,012
Top Scorer: Sarah Strong, UConn — 15 points
Syracuse Leading Scorer: Emely Rodriguez — 14 points
