UConn women rout 16-seed UTSA 90-52 in NCAA Tournament opener

The defending national champion Huskies advance to face No. 9 Syracuse on Monday.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:00am

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The UConn women's basketball team's NCAA Tournament opener wasn't pretty, but the No. 1 Huskies are moving on after a 90-52 rout of 16-seed Texas-San Antonio in the first round. The 38-point win was UConn's closest game against a 16 seed since 2012, a testament to the program's historic dominance in the postseason.

Why it matters

This is the 32nd consecutive season the Huskies have reached at least the second round of the tournament, showcasing their consistent excellence and ability to overcome early tournament jitters.

The details

UConn had its worst performance from 3-point range since the season opener against Louisville, hitting just 21.2% from beyond the arc, and the Huskies were inconsistent at the free throw line, shooting 59.1%. But the team finished with 35 points off of 27 UTSA turnovers, and it also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Roadrunners 48-18.

  • The defending national champion Huskies advanced to face No. 9 Syracuse on Monday at Gampel Pavilion.
  • UConn had more than a week off following its Big East Tournament championship, and the Huskies looked rusty in their March Madness opener.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn women's basketball team.

Sarah Strong

The All-America sophomore who led the Huskies with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and a block.

Ashlynn Shade

The junior guard who surpassed 1,000 career points, recording 14 points and a season-best 7 rebounds.

Blanca Quinonez

The freshman who scored in double digits in her first NCAA Tournament game, with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Azzi Fudd

The redshirt senior guard who picked up 3 fouls in the first quarter and didn't return to the court until after halftime.

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What they’re saying

“I was telling the players after the game, I've seen over the years how many times the first game looks kind of wonky. You're a little bit out of sorts from not playing and everybody is trying too hard to make it work, so it took us a little while to get going.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach

“It was just kind of like OK, finally. Coach does a great job of keeping us mentally and physically prepared for games, but I think it's the nerves that get you more and the excitement. The first shot is always a little bit longer because you're just so amped up and ready to play.”

— Ashlynn Shade, Junior Guard

“We work with so many different combinations in practice that we know all the spots and how we want to play. We just kind of do our thing the UConn way. It doesn't change with who's on the court, the style and the way we play. Obviously we love having them out on the court, but under those circumstances you just have to play with what you have and buckle down.”

— Ashlynn Shade, Junior Guard

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.