UConn holds off late Michigan surge as Azzi Fudd’s career night lifts Huskies to narrow win in Hall of Fame Showcase
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Nov 24, 2025, 05:14 IST
No. 1 UConn edged No. 6 Michigan 72–69 at Mohegan Sun, led by Azzi Fudd’s career-high 31 points. The Huskies built a big lead before Michigan stormed back with major runs, pulling within one in the final seconds. Fudd’s late free throws secured the win. Syla Swords scored 29 for Michigan, while Sarah Strong posted a 16-point, 20-rebound double-double.
The No. 1-ranked UConn Huskies defeated the sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines to seal a 72-69 victory at home in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Friday night in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.
The matchup between two of the nation's top 10 basketball programs lived up to the expectations on Friday night. Both teams remained undefeated and looked to challenge each other entering the contest. With Paige Bueckers off to the WNBA, the 5-foot-11 senior guard Azzi Fudd took charge of the Huskies and led the scoring with a career-high 31 points and two steals.
Earlier this week, Geno Auriema, the head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, said, "Based on what I’ve seen from Michigan, they will be, for sure, the best team we play this year, by a long shot at this time in the season."
And he wasn’t wrong. The Huskies remained dominant throughout the first half of the game and looked to finish the game early as they built a 20-point lead by the third quarter. But the Wolverines' defence put pressure on the Huskies and changed the momentum as the Huskies were able to score only 2 points while the Wolverines posted 18 points.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Michigan scored 13 points straight while UConn had none, which reduced the Huskies' lead to 49-45.
Azzi Fudd restored the double-digit lead for UConn and made a 3-pointer after going 8 minutes without a point.
In the final minutes of the game, Syla Swords from Michigan knocked down a three with 12 seconds left, which made the score 70-6,9, giving the Wolverines just one point to catch up.
With 8 seconds left on the clock, Michigan fouled Azzi Fudd, who shot both her free throws that brought the score to 72-69. Michigan was not able to take a final shot to tie the game.
The sophomore guard Syla Swords from the Wolverines scored 29 points, while Olson had 18 points and 9 rebounds.
UConn’s sophomore forward Sarah Strong registered a double-double and a career high in rebounds after scoring 16 points and 20 rebounds.
The Huskies will face Utah, and the Wolverines will play Syracuse on Sunday.