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The second-ranked UConn Huskies remain undefeated this season with a 6-0 record, but their showdown against the 18th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels in the Baha Mar Women's Championship was far from smooth sailing.
Despite a strong first half, the Huskies faltered in the third quarter, allowing the Rebels to stage a dramatic comeback. Though UConn secured a 73-60 victory, head coach Geno Auriemma acknowledged the team's defensive lapses and the need for improvement.
UConn dominated the first half, outscoring Ole Miss 37-18. However, the third quarter belonged to the Rebels, who came out aggressively, cutting the Huskies' lead to just three points with a 15-point run.
The Storrs-based team struggled to match the Rebels' intensity, committing eight turnovers and allowing multiple second-chance opportunities.
"They're really good at attacking you one-on-one and finishing at the glass," Auriemma said post-game.
"We lost a little bit of our composure and defensive toughness."
Third quarter struggles almost cost UConn their unbeaten run
The Rebels outscored UConn 28-15 in the third quarter, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that could pose a challenge for the Huskies' title aspirations.
Despite these challenges, UConn regrouped in the fourth quarter to regain control. Auriemma credited the experience as a learning moment, especially for a roster with five players who are new to the team.
"As much as you hate to see it happen, it gave us an opportunity to regroup and take control of the game again," he added.
While the Huskies faced adversity, Azzi Fudd delivered a standout performance to shift the momentum. With Ole Miss closing in, Fudd hit a critical three-pointer, a jumper, and a buzzer-beater to put UConn back in command. The team entered the fourth quarter with a 52-46 lead, thanks largely to Fudd's clutch plays.
Fudd, who had struggled in her previous two games, found her rhythm in this matchup, scoring a season-high 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and a block. Auriemma praised her resurgence.
"This is probably the best version of herself physically since her junior year in high school."