Sarah Strong joined some exclusive company in UConn women’s basketball lore on Monday, leading No. 1 UConn to an 85-47 blowout win over Notre Dame.
The sophomore sensation became the third-fastest player to reach 1,000 points in Huskies program history, doing so in 59 games. Only Paige Bueckers and Maya Moore reached the milestone faster, each getting there in 55 games.
Advertisement
Strong reached the 1,000-point mark at the 7:31 mark of the second quarter when she hit a 3-pointer. At that point, she had eight points in the game. She finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Strong added 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks to her game total.
As ESPN’s Alexa Philippou pointed out, Strong has achieved that career total while not even averaging 30 minutes per game.
The Huskies’ victory was the first versus the Fighting Irish in their past four games, a streak spanning through the past four years. Notre Dame and UConn last played one another on Dec. 12, 2024, with the Irish winning 79-68.
Additionally, UConn’s 38-point win was by the largest margin of victory in the history of the series versus Notre Dame. The two programs have faced each other 56 times, with the Huskies compiling a 40-16 record in the rivalry.
Advertisement
UConn ran out to a 13-3 lead to open the game as the Irish didn’t hit a shot from the floor for the first six minutes of the game. Notre Dame shot 3-of-14 in the first quarter.
Azzi Fudd added 15 points, while KK Arnold tallied 12 for UConn. Five Huskies players scored in double figures, as UConn improved its record to 19-0 this season. Going back to last season, when the Huskies won the national championship, UConn has won 35 consecutive games.
Notre Dame (12-6) was led by Hannah Hidalgo’s 16 points, but she shot 5-for-15 from the floor against tight defense by Arnold. To keep Arnold fresh, UConn coach rotated Fudd, Kayleigh Heckel, Ashlynn Shade and Blanca Quiñonez to defend Hidalgo. Arnold played 27 minutes to Hidalgo’s 38.
Advertisement
Cassandre Prosper was the only other Irish player to score in double figures, getting 12 points.
Both teams play again on Thursday. UConn visits Georgetown (11-7), while Notre Dame hosts Miami (11-7).
