In a marquee matchup for college women’s basketball, No. 2 UConn traveled to Iowa and secured a 91-79 victory over the Hawkeyes on Sunday. The game showcased a dominant offensive performance from both teams, but the Huskies ultimately prevailed thanks to a career‑high 39‑point effort from senior guard Sarah Strong.

Key performances

Strong’s 39 points, including 26 in the first half, set the tone early. She was ably supported by Blanca Quinonez, who added 21 points and hit a crucial three‑pointer with under three minutes left to help seal the win. Kansas‑born forward KK Arnold contributed 14 points, while point guard Jovana Popovic recorded a double‑double with 10 points and six assists.

For Iowa, Chit‑Chat Wright was the leading scorer with 23 points. Ava Heiden added 15 points before fouling out in the first half, and Dani Carnegie finished with 12 points. Heiden’s early five points helped Iowa jump to a six‑point lead, but the Hawkeyes were unable to sustain the momentum.

Game flow

The Hawkeyes opened the contest with a six‑point advantage, but UConn responded with a 13‑3 run to close the first quarter. Quinonez’s steal late in the second quarter set up a buzzer‑beating three‑pointer from Strong, giving the Huskies a 52‑37 lead at halftime.

UConn extended its lead in the third quarter, capitalizing on Iowa’s foul trouble. Heiden, Iowa’s top rebounder, picked up her second foul with just over two minutes left in the first quarter and did not return for the remainder of the half. She later fouled out again in the third quarter, limiting Iowa’s scoring options.

Honors and upcoming games

Before the game, former UConn All‑American Azzi Fudd was inducted into the Huskies of Honor. Fudd, the 2025 Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selected by the Dallas Wings.

Looking ahead, Iowa will host Northern Iowa on Thursday, while UConn travels to face No. 18 Ohio State later in the week.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.