HARTFORD, Conn. — Both Azzi Fudd of the University of Connecticut and Kennedy Smith from the University of Southern California made their comebacks in a game on Saturday night after nursing injuries for some time.

Smith had been sidelined for nearly a month following a surgical procedure, which the university has chosen not to disclose details about, adhering to HIPAA regulations. Prior to her injury, the freshman guard was contributing significantly with an average of 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across four games. In her return, she recorded nine points and three rebounds in 23 minutes of play, helping her team secure a narrow 72-70 victory against UConn.

“Losing her was a considerable setback for us,” commented USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “In my experience, she is the best defensive freshman player I’ve coached. Her absence affected our performance, but it allowed other players to gain valuable experience. With her return, our team is now more well-rounded.”

During her time out, Smith missed seven games, including a matchup against Notre Dame on November 23.

“Her recovery is remarkable; she came back much quicker than expected given the nature of her procedure,” Gottlieb praised. “Her impact on our team is enormous, and we’re thrilled to have her back on the court.”

Fudd, on the other hand, faced a mild knee sprain sustained during a game against Louisville on December 7, causing her to sit out three games. Last season, she dealt with a torn ACL that kept her off the court for most of the year. Upon her return, she entered the game at the start of the second quarter, although she struggled to find her rhythm, failing to score in her eight minutes on the floor.

UConn’s head coach, Geno Auriemma, expressed confidence in Fudd’s abilities, stating, “Azzi is undoubtedly an elite talent. I truly believe that once she is fully healthy and back to her best, it will significantly boost our team’s performance. Although I missed having her on the court today, I had my reasons for holding her back.”