sports • Dec. 21, 2025

Fudd and Strong power No. 1 UConn past No. 11 Iowa in Women’s Champions Classic

Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and freshman Sarah Strong powered No. 1 UConn to a commanding victory over No. 11 Iowa in the Women’s Champions Classic, showcasing depth, defense, and championship poise.

Top-ranked :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} delivered a statement performance in the Women’s Champions Classic, using a balanced offensive attack and relentless defensive pressure to defeat No. 11 :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}, reaffirming their status as the team to beat early in the women’s college basketball season, as Azzi Fudd and freshman phenom Sarah Strong provided the spark while Paige Bueckers controlled the tempo and flow of the game from start to finish, helping UConn pull away in the second half after a competitive opening quarter; Fudd, returning to peak form after injury-plagued seasons, showcased her elite shooting touch and off-ball movement, knocking down timely perimeter shots that stretched Iowa’s defense and opened driving lanes, while also contributing strong on-ball defense that limited Iowa’s rhythm on the perimeter, and Strong continued to justify the hype surrounding her arrival in Storrs by dominating both ends of the floor with her physicality, rebounding instincts, and polished scoring ability around the basket, finishing plays through contact and protecting the rim with confidence beyond her years; Iowa, adjusting to a new era following the departure of Caitlin Clark, showed flashes of promise behind disciplined ball movement and effort, but struggled to keep pace with UConn’s depth, speed, and defensive versatility, particularly as the Huskies increased their defensive intensity after halftime, forcing turnovers that led to transition points and easy baskets, a hallmark of Geno Auriemma–coached teams; Bueckers, though not needing to dominate the scoring column, made her presence felt everywhere else, orchestrating the offense with poise, delivering precision passes, attacking mismatches when necessary, and setting the tone defensively with anticipation and hustle, reminding fans why she remains one of the most complete players in the sport; the game swung decisively in the third quarter when UConn went on an extended run fueled by stops, fast-break finishes, and efficient half-court execution, as Fudd hit back-to-back jumpers and Strong cleaned up misses and controlled the glass, pushing the lead into double digits and forcing Iowa to play from behind for the remainder of the contest; despite the loss, Iowa showed resilience and competitiveness, with its young roster gaining valuable experience against elite competition, as the Hawkeyes battled on the boards and found scoring opportunities through patience and teamwork, even as UConn’s length and defensive rotations closed windows quickly and contested nearly every look; the matchup, played on a national stage, underscored the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball, where traditional powers like UConn continue to reload with elite talent while programs like Iowa aim to redefine themselves through balance and system-driven play, and the atmosphere reflected the growing popularity and visibility of the women’s game; for UConn, the victory served not only as an early résumé-building win but also as a glimpse of a potentially dominant lineup blending experienced stars with impact newcomers, as chemistry continues to develop and roles become more defined, while for Iowa the defeat offered clear lessons and benchmarks that will shape its growth over the course of the season; as the final buzzer sounded, the message was clear that UConn’s combination of health, depth, and high basketball IQ makes them a formidable force, with Fudd’s scoring punch and Strong’s immediate impact adding new dimensions to an already championship-caliber squad, setting the tone for what promises to be a compelling and competitive women’s college basketball season..