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UConn Captures the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Crown

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When the final whistle blew at Mohegan Sun Arena, the trophy returned to Storrs, as the top-ranked UConn Huskies captured the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Jeep.
 
Paced by Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, UConn topped No. 2 seed Villanova, 90-51, to win the program’s 24th BIG EAST Championship.
 
Fudd finished the outing with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Strong posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in just 22 minutes of action. Villanova was led once again by Jasmine Bascoe, who scored 14 points, while collecting five rebounds and four steals.
 
UConn wasted no time asserting control in the opening quarter, racing out to a 15–3 run that immediately put Villanova on its heels. The Huskies dominated the interior early, consistently attacking the rim and building momentum through their defense and rebounding.
 
Sarah Strong set the tone from the start, stuffing the stat sheet with seven points, five rebounds, a block, and a steal in the first 10 minutes. Azzi Fudd chipped in six points of her own as the Huskies continued to push the pace offensively.
 
Villanova steadied itself over the final 3:44 of the quarter and managed to play UConn even down the stretch, but the early surge proved decisive. Behind a dominant 14–0 edge in points in the paint, Huskies carried a 23–11 lead into the second quarter.
 
UConn extended its control in the second quarter, using a 10–0 run and later a 7–0 burst to push the lead to as many as 26 before taking a 49–23 advantage into halftime. Strong closed the half with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Azzi Fudd and Quinonez each had 11 points and three steals. The Huskies continued to dominate inside, building a commanding 28–4 edge in points in the paint.
 
UConn narrowly outscored Villanova 22–19 in the third quarter but continued to control the game, carrying a 71–42 lead into the final 10 minutes. Fudd paced the Huskies with eight points in the period, while Bascoe scored a quarter-high 10 points to lead the Wildcats.
 
The Huskies wrapped up the game shooting an efficient 34-of-65 (.523) from the field, while outrebounding Villanova 49-34. The Wildcats were limited to 18 makes on 66 attempts (.273). UConn held a 48-18 advantage in points in the paint, and a 21-2 edge in fastbreak points.