UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The UConn Huskies, ranked third, stepped up their defensive game significantly in the second half, leaving Villanova struggling to find the basket. On Sunday, UConn secured an 82-54 victory over the Wildcats and advanced to the Big East championship game. Villanova was held scoreless from the field for over 16 minutes, including the entire third quarter.
Paige Bueckers, UConn’s standout player, noted that the team was mindful of their first-half defensive lapses, during which they conceded 37 points to Villanova. The team addressed this among themselves even before the coaching staff intervened.
“We pride ourselves on our defense, and the first-half display wasn’t representative of how we wanted to play or how we’ve played in the past,” expressed Bueckers. “We focused on tightening things up in the second half.”
This was the second consecutive game where the Huskies managed to contain their opponent for an extended period. During the quarterfinal on Saturday, the Red Storm’s score from an early basket was followed by a stretch of more than 10 minutes without a goal.
Coach Geno Auriemma emphasized the importance of solid defense during this time of the year, saying, “Defensive play in March needs to be different from regular season. It’s not easy, but I’m pleased the players are taking ownership, which is their responsibility at this stage.”
In the first half, Villanova matched UConn’s pace despite Bueckers’ 21-point performance. However, as the game progressed, Wildcats struggled to find success with their shooting, missing all 11 shots from the field in the third quarter. Their first points came from a pair of free throws with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter.
“They do well at constricting the court and intercepting passes, which you feel immediately,” Villanova coach Denise Dillon remarked, commending UConn’s effective defense.
The Wildcats experienced a continued scoring challenge until Ryanne Allen’s jumper with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats concluded the second half making just 3 out of 24 field goals and only managed to hit one of their 16 attempted 3-pointers.
“As a team, you should take pride in your defense and be reliable on that end,” noted Auriemma. “Sometimes, we become too confident and comfortable, but now’s not the time for that. The goal is to limit opponents to single-digit scores each quarter.”
