Fudd's 34 points, 8 3-pointers power UConn past Syracuse

UConn advances to Sweet 16 for 32nd straight time

Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:03am

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Azzi Fudd scored 26 of her 34 points in the first half, including 8 three-pointers, to lead UConn to a 98-45 victory over Syracuse in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament. The win sends the Huskies to the Sweet 16 for the 32nd consecutive time.

Why it matters

Fudd's performance was one of the best halves of basketball in UConn history, according to head coach Geno Auriemma. The Huskies' dominant win over Syracuse extends their NCAA Tournament winning streak at Gampel Pavilion to 52 games and their overall streak in Connecticut to 44 games.

The details

Fudd matched her career high with 34 points and 8 three-pointers, with 26 of those points coming in the first half. UConn used a 31-0 run to build a 53-8 lead over Syracuse, who was playing without injured starting point guard Dominique Darius. The Huskies' defense stifled the Orange, who went more than 10 minutes without a field goal during that run.

  • Fudd had 26 of her 34 points and 6 of her 8 three-pointers in the first half.
  • UConn used a 31-0 run to build a 53-8 lead over Syracuse in the first half.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A senior guard for the UConn women's basketball team who scored 34 points, including 8 three-pointers, in her final home game at Gampel Pavilion.

Geno Auriemma

The Hall of Fame head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who called Fudd's performance "the best half of basketball, the best 20 minutes I have seen in a long, long time."

Sarah Strong

A UConn player who had 18 points and 9 rebounds in the win over Syracuse.

Blanca Quinonez

A UConn player who scored 18 points off the bench in the victory.

Dominique Darius

The starting point guard for Syracuse who missed the game due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“My teammates were finding me, setting great screens. I wasn't even thinking. I was open — so shoot it.”

— Azzi Fudd

“Gampel has been home for the last five years. Some people say no place compares and it doesn't, the environment, the crowd, the fans, everything about this place is amazing. Playing here one last time, I have had so many great moments, so many great wins. This one is up there.”

— Azzi Fudd

“the best half of basketball, the best 20 minutes I have seen in a long, long time.”

— Geno Auriemma, UConn Head Coach

What’s next

UConn will face North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, the second time the two teams have met in the tournament. North Carolina won 81-69 en route to the national title in 1994.

The takeaway

Azzi Fudd's dominant performance in her final home game at Gampel Pavilion was one for the ages, as she led UConn to a blowout win over Syracuse and a 32nd straight trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Fudd's shooting display and the Huskies' stifling defense showcased why they remain one of the premier women's basketball programs in the country.