No. 1 UConn survives with a win over No. 6 Michigan, 72-69

Top-ranked UConn survived a furious late rally from No. 6 Michigan, escaping with a 72–69 win Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Huskies appeared in full control after building a 20-point second-half lead, but Michigan refused to fold. Syla Swords buried three consecutive three-pointers in the closing moments, the final one pulling the Wolverines within a single point with 17 seconds remaining. Azzi Fudd calmly answered at the free-throw line, knocking down two shots to restore a three-point cushion. After a brief exchange of turnovers in the final seconds, Michigan was unable to get a clean look at a potential game-tying shot before the buzzer sounded.

Fudd delivered when it mattered most, scoring 13 of UConn’s 23 fourth-quarter points and finishing with a game-high 31. She also went a perfect 4-for-4 at the line in crunch time. Sarah Strong added a dominant all-around performance with 16 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and three steals. Together, Fudd and Strong accounted for 47 of UConn’s 72 points, while the starting lineup produced all but five points.

Michigan made its final push late, scoring 12 of the next 15 points to turn the game into a one-possession battle with under a minute to play. Out of a timeout, Strong converted a key layup with 26 seconds left to make it 68–63. Swords responded with a three, but Fudd again answered with two free throws. Swords drilled yet another deep shot to pull Michigan within one, only for Fudd to sink two more from the stripe to close the door.

UConn set the tone early, racing out to a 22–5 lead after one quarter. The Huskies stifled Michigan defensively, limiting the Wolverines to just two field goals while forcing turnovers equal to Michigan’s point total in the opening frame.

Michigan found its footing in the second quarter by switching to a 2–3 zone, slowing UConn’s offense and gradually chipping away at the deficit. Fudd’s buzzer-beater at the half, however, gave the Huskies a much-needed lift heading into the break.

The Wolverines carried momentum into the third quarter, holding UConn to just four points and closing the period on a 13–0 run to trim the lead to four.

That’s when Fudd took over. After Michigan cut the deficit to two early in the fourth, Fudd buried a critical three to end a nearly eight-minute scoring drought. She scored UConn’s first nine points of the final period, pushing the lead back into double digits. KK Arnold added to the surge with a three-point play followed by a three-pointer on consecutive possessions, extending the Huskies’ advantage to 13 with 3:37 remaining.

With the win, UConn improved to 5–0 on the season. The Huskies will be back in action Sunday against Utah in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.