UConn and Geno Auriemma beat Notre Dame 70-52 to secure 25th women's Final Four appearance

The Huskies are headed to the Final Four after a dominant performance over the Fighting Irish.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:08pm

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A cubist-inspired painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, capturing the dynamic energy and movement of a women's basketball game.UConn's dominant performance over Notre Dame secures the Huskies' 25th trip to the women's Final Four, continuing the program's legacy of excellence.Phoenix Today

The UConn Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70-52 to secure their 25th appearance in the women's NCAA Tournament Final Four. All-America forward Sarah Strong scored 21 points, and Blanca Quiñonez added 20 points off the bench for the undefeated Huskies, who have now won 54 games in a row. This was the ninth NCAA tournament meeting between the two powerhouse programs, but the first with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

Why it matters

UConn's continued dominance in women's college basketball is a testament to Geno Auriemma's coaching prowess. The Huskies' ability to reach the Final Four for the 25th time, even with a younger roster, showcases the program's sustained excellence over decades. This matchup with Notre Dame also renews one of the sport's fiercest rivalries, as the two teams have met numerous times in the NCAA tournament with a spot in the championship game on the line.

The details

UConn jumped out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter and never looked back, despite a nearly five-minute scoring drought in the third quarter that allowed Notre Dame to briefly get within eight points. Huskies guard Azzi Fudd had 13 points, four assists and three steals, while Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but also had five turnovers. UConn's balanced scoring attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Fighting Irish to overcome.

  • UConn and Notre Dame have met in the NCAA tournament nine times, with this being their first matchup with a spot in the Final Four on the line.
  • UConn's 54-game winning streak dates back to last season, when they won the national championship.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team, who has led the program to 12 national championships and 25 Final Four appearances.

Sarah Strong

An All-America forward for the UConn Huskies, who scored a team-high 21 points in the win over Notre Dame.

Blanca Quiñonez

A key contributor off the bench for UConn, scoring 20 points and providing a spark with her energy and playmaking.

Azzi Fudd

A fifth-year senior guard for the Huskies, who had 13 points, four assists and three steals in the victory.

Hannah Hidalgo

The star guard for Notre Dame, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but also had five turnovers.

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What they’re saying

“This group, they don't have that kind of swagger, trash-talking kind of mentality. It's not the kind of team that I've had in the past that has gone this far undefeated. It's not. They don't have that kind of mentality off the court, on the court. They're just a bunch of really nice kids that play hard for each other.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“Seeing him excited and kind of goofy is really good for us. ... He's usually all serious or like anxious, grumpy. Just seeing him let loose and be his true self was really good.”

— Sarah Strong, All-America Forward, UConn Huskies

“He doesn't say anything he doesn't mean. He doesn't give out compliments too often, depending on who you are. So to hear him say that it does mean a lot, and we feel the same way. We love this team so much.”

— Azzi Fudd, Fifth-Year Senior Guard, UConn Huskies

What’s next

UConn will play its national semifinal game on Friday against the winner of the Sacramento Regional 4 final between South Carolina and TCU. The Huskies beat South Carolina 82-59 in last year's national championship game.

The takeaway

UConn's continued dominance in women's college basketball, led by the legendary coach Geno Auriemma, is a testament to the program's sustained excellence. Even with a younger roster, the Huskies have maintained their status as one of the premier teams in the sport, securing their 25th Final Four appearance and extending their winning streak to 54 games.