UConn Cruises to Elite Eight, Beating UNC 63-42

Sarah Strong's double-double leads defending champion Huskies to victory

Mar. 27, 2026 at 11:35pm

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Sophomore forward Sarah Strong had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the unbeaten and defending national champion UConn Huskies overwhelmed North Carolina 63-42 in the women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Huskies, the overall No. 1 seed, are headed to the Elite Eight for the 30th time.

Why it matters

UConn is seeking its 13th national championship and has extended its winning streak to 53 games. The Huskies' dominant performance against North Carolina, a four-seed, showcases their continued dominance in women's college basketball and their status as the team to beat in this year's tournament.

The details

Strong, a North Carolina native and AP All-American, led the charge for UConn, making four consecutive field goals in the second quarter to help the Huskies pull away. Blanca Quiñonez added 16 points, and Azzi Fudd chipped in 10 for the Huskies. UConn outscored North Carolina 17-8 in the second quarter to take a 28-20 halftime lead, then opened the second half with a 12-0 run to put the game out of reach.

  • UConn extended its overall winning streak to 53 games.
  • The Huskies will play Notre Dame in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

The players

Sarah Strong

A sophomore forward for UConn and a North Carolina native, Strong is a AP All-American who had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Blanca Quiñonez

A UConn player who scored 16 points in the victory.

Azzi Fudd

A UConn player who scored 10 points in the game.

Indya Nivar

A North Carolina player who led the Tar Heels with 20 points.

Hannah Hidalgo

A Notre Dame player who had a 31-point triple-double in the Fighting Irish's win over Vanderbilt earlier on Friday.

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What’s next

UConn will play sixth-seeded Notre Dame in the Fort Worth Region 1 final on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Phoenix.

The takeaway

UConn's dominant performance against North Carolina, a top-four seed, underscores the Huskies' status as the team to beat in this year's women's NCAA Tournament as they seek their 13th national championship. The Huskies' depth, defense, and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Tar Heels to handle.