LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Connecticut women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Saturday, defeating Southern California 79-51 at Galen Center. The Huskies, who improved to 10-0, seized control early with a 23-point first quarter and led 39-17 at halftime before a 30-point third quarter sealed the win before a crowd of 9,035. Azzi Fudd led Connecticut with 17 points. Ashlynn Shade added 15 and Sarah Strong scored 14. Kennedy Smith scored 16 points for the Women of Troy, who fell to 7-3. Londynn Jones contributed 14 points in the loss. Southern California struggled offensively, particularly in the first half, and could not recover from the early deficit.

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The top-ranked Connecticut Huskies delivered a defensive masterclass, overwhelming Southern California from the opening tip and cruising to a 79-51 victory in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at a sold-out Galen Center. The Huskies (10-0) held the Women of Troy (7-3) to a season-low in points and field goal percentage, forcing 19 turnovers and converting them into 28 points. Connecticut’s defensive pressure was the story, holding USC to just 17 points in the first half on 6-of-28 shooting, effectively deciding the contest before halftime. Azzi Fudd led all scorers with 17 points for Connecticut, while Ashlynn Shade added 15 and Sarah Strong contributed 14 points, three assists and three blocks. The Huskies’ depth was on full display as Blanca Quinonez provided 12 points off the bench. For Southern California, Kennedy Smith scored 16 points and Londynn Jones added 14, but the duo combined to shoot 10 for 30 from the field against the relentless UConn defense. The most important sequence of the game came immediately after halftime, with Connecticut already leading 39-17. The Huskies opened the third quarter with a devastating 14-2 run over the first 3:16, extinguishing any lingering hope of a USC rally. The burst was fueled by the same defensive intensity that built the first-half lead, as UConn forced three turnovers during the stretch. It started with a Sarah Strong block on Kara Dunn, leading to a Strong layup on the other end. After a USC miss, Fudd buried a 3-pointer. Following another USC turnover, KK Arnold finished a layup. After Arnold drew a foul and made a free throw, Shade capped the run with a 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 53-19 and turning the final 16 minutes into a formality. Connecticut’s offensive execution was efficient, posting an offensive rating of 105.2 points per 100 possessions. They shot 47.7% from the field and assisted on 14 of their 31 made baskets. Equally impressive was their work on the glass, where they outrebounded USC 42-30 and grabbed nine offensive rebounds. Southern California, which entered the game averaging over 70 points per contest, was stifled. The Women of Troy finished shooting a season-worst 30.2% from the field and 21.1% from 3-point range. Their offensive rating of 66.7 was a season low. Jazzy Davidson added 10 points and four blocks for USC, but the team managed only six assists against the 19 turnovers. The game was played before an announced crowd of 9,035. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Connecticut had a 74.5% probability to win. The Huskies continue their road trip with a highly anticipated matchup against Iowa at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 20. Southern California looks to rebound at home against Cal Poly on Dec. 18.

Preview of Connecticut vs. Southern California Women’s Basketball LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The top-ranked and undefeated Connecticut Huskies put their perfect record on the line against a talented Southern California squad when the teams meet in a nonconference women’s basketball showdown Saturday at Galen Center. The Huskies (9-0) have been dominant, winning by an average margin of 39.2 points. They are coming off a 102-35 demolition of DePaul on Sunday. UConn’s offense, averaging 90.2 points per game, is a multifaceted attack, but freshman forward Sarah Strong has emerged as a central force. Over her last six games, Strong is averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 blocks while displaying remarkable efficiency in limited minutes. The Women of Troy (7-2), however, represent UConn’s toughest test since a 72-69 win over Michigan on Nov. 21. USC’s two losses came against current Top-10 opponents Notre Dame and South Carolina. They are anchored by star guard Jazzy Davidson, who is averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Davidson scored 22 points in USC’s most recent outing, a 59-50 defensive struggle against Washington. USC’s strength lies in its defense, allowing just 54.7 points per game. Containing UConn’s transition game and balanced scoring, which features key contributors like guards Kayleigh Heckel and Azzi Fudd alongside Strong, will be paramount. The Huskies have surpassed 100 points three times this season. This high-profile intersectional matchup features two of the nation’s most heralded young talents in Strong and Davidson. It serves as a major benchmark for a USC team with championship aspirations and another opportunity for UConn to solidify its ranking on the road. Saturday’s winner will gain significant momentum heading into the final stretch of nonconference play. Following this game, UConn visits Iowa on Dec. 20, while USC hosts Cal Poly on Dec. 18 before a trip to California.