UConn Advances to 25th Final Four with Comeback Win over Notre Dame

Blanca Quiñonez leads the way as Huskies overcome slow start from stars Fudd and Strong

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:51pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of a women's basketball game, with players' movements and the court's layout broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.UConn's depth and adaptability prove too much for Notre Dame in a thrilling Elite Eight matchup.Notre Dame Today

The UConn Huskies secured their 25th Final Four appearance with a comeback victory over Notre Dame in the Elite Eight. While star players like Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong struggled early, it was the emergence of Blanca Quiñonez that kept the Huskies in the game. UConn's depth and adaptability, with key contributions from bench players Kayleigh Heckel and KK Arnold, proved to be the difference as they overcame Notre Dame's physical defense.

Why it matters

UConn's victory highlights the importance of team depth and adaptability in college basketball. While the Huskies' offense has been dominant this season, Notre Dame's focus on limiting their star players posed a unique challenge. UConn's ability to adjust and find solutions on the fly is a testament to their maturity and the team's culture of resilience.

The details

Quiñonez's 20 points and hot shooting in the first half kept the Huskies ahead, despite a slow start from Fudd and Strong. Bench players Heckel and Arnold provided crucial support and defense, showcasing the team's depth and ability to adapt to different challenges on the court.

  • UConn secured their 25th Final Four appearance on April 11, 2026.

The players

Blanca Quiñonez

A key player for the UConn Huskies who stepped up with 20 points in the Elite Eight victory over Notre Dame.

Azzi Fudd

A star player for the UConn Huskies who struggled early but is a crucial part of the team's success.

Sarah Strong

Another star player for the UConn Huskies who, along with Fudd, had a slow start but is an integral part of the team.

Kayleigh Heckel

A UConn bench player who provided crucial support and defense, showcasing the team's depth.

KK Arnold

A UConn bench player who stepped up in crucial moments, demonstrating the team's adaptability.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it wasn't going to be easy against Notre Dame, but the team really stepped up when we needed them most. Blanca's performance in the first half kept us in the game, and the bench players made huge contributions to help us overcome the challenge.”

— Geno Auriemma, UConn Head Coach

What’s next

UConn will face the winner of the other Elite Eight matchup in the Final Four on April 18, 2026, with a chance to advance to the national championship game.

The takeaway

UConn's victory over Notre Dame showcases the importance of team depth and adaptability in college basketball. While the Huskies' stars struggled early, the team's ability to adjust and find solutions, led by the emergence of Blanca Quiñonez and key contributions from the bench, proved to be the difference-maker.