No. 1 UConn Defeats North Carolina in Low-Scoring Battle to Reach Elite Eight

Huskies advance to regional final after 63-42 victory over Tar Heels

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Top-seeded UConn defeated fourth-seeded North Carolina 63-42 in the Fort Worth Regional 1 semifinal of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Sarah Strong led the Huskies with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Blanca Quinonez added 16 points off the bench. UConn, the defending champions, won their 53rd game in a row and will face sixth-seeded Notre Dame in the regional final on Sunday.

Why it matters

UConn's dominant victory over North Carolina showcases the Huskies' continued excellence in the NCAA Tournament as they pursue another national championship. The low-scoring affair highlighted the defensive intensity of both teams, with UConn's stifling defense proving to be the difference.

The details

UConn led 28-20 at halftime, with Strong and Quinonez accounting for all but four of the Huskies' points in the first half. The Huskies then opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run to extend their lead to 48-25 heading into the fourth quarter. North Carolina shot just 28.3% from the field and committed 24 turnovers in the game.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • UConn led 28-20 at halftime.
  • The Huskies opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run.

The players

Sarah Strong

The UConn forward recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Blanca Quinonez

The UConn guard came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Indya Nivar

The North Carolina guard led the Tar Heels with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

UConn

The top-seeded Huskies, the defending national champions, extended their winning streak to 53 games.

North Carolina

The fourth-seeded Tar Heels shot just 28.3% from the field and committed 24 turnovers in the loss.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough, low-scoring game, and our defense really set the tone for us tonight.”

— Sarah Strong, UConn Forward

What’s next

UConn will face sixth-seeded Notre Dame in the Fort Worth Regional 1 final on Sunday, March 30, 2026, with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

UConn's stifling defense and balanced scoring attack proved too much for North Carolina, as the Huskies continued their dominant run through the NCAA Tournament. The low-scoring affair highlighted the teams' commitment to defense, setting the stage for an intriguing regional final matchup between UConn and Notre Dame.