UConn women’s basketball blitzes No. 16 USC, 79-51

UConn women’s basketball traveled across the country to deliver a 79-51 beatdown on the USC Trojans at the Galen Center on Saturday. The first five minutes featured eight lead changes but the Huskies ultimately spent the final 30:47 ahead by double-digits behind their best performance so far this season.

Azzi Fudd paced the squad with 17 points while Ashlynn Shade added a season-high 15 points. Blanca Quiñonez had an impactful day with 12 points, four steals, four rebounds and a block while Sarah Strong still put up 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, three blocks and three assists despite an uncharacteristic three fouls and three turnovers. Serah Williams impressed with six points and nine rebounds as well.

UConn’s defense dominated in the victory, forcing 20 turnovers while holding USC to 30 percent shooting. The Huskies limited freshman phenom Jazzy Davidson to just 10 points — seven of which came well after the game was already out of hand.

After a back-and-forth start, UConn flipped a switch and quickly pulled away. The Huskies closed the opening quarter on a 15-0 run then ripped off a 9-0 burst early in the second period. While the offense had no trouble getting open looks, the defense made the difference. UConn held USC without a point over the final 5:14 of the first quarter, then forced a 6:21-long scoring drought in the second frame.

Although Strong had a quiet first half with just four points, Williams and Quiñonez picked up the slack. Williams started the Huskies off with six of their first 12 points before Quiñonez took her place. The freshman didn’t waste any time making an impact, racking up six points, three deflections and a steal in her first 1:18 of action.

Meanwhile, Fudd did her part. When the Trojans started to find their groove with back-to-back baskets, the graduate guard drilled a momentum-killing triple on the ensuing possession. UConn went into the locker room up 29-17 — its largest lead of the game to that point.

The Huskies only got better out of the break. They scored 21 of the first 25 points of the second half to push the gap beyond 30. UConn’s defense, which forced nine giveaways through the first two quarters, turned USC over six times in the first five and a half minutes out of the locker room. The Trojans actually put up more points in the third quarter than they managed in the entire first half but it ultimately didn’t matter. The Huskies emptied out their bench in the fourth quarter and came away with a 28-point victory.

Next, UConn will return home and get back to Big East play when it hosts Marquette at PeoplesBank Arena on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.