Overview
- UConn defeated No. 17 Ohio State 87-55 in Columbus on Thursday as Sarah Strong scored 25 points, hitting 7 of 8 three-pointers while adding nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
- Strong sat much of the first half with two fouls but erupted after the break, scoring 20 second-half points and helping UConn outscore Ohio State 27-11 in the third quarter to seize control.
- Bench players lifted UConn’s depth after halftime, with Ashlynn Shade scoring 15, KK Arnold contributing 10, and Olivia Vukosa finishing with eight points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
- Ohio State struggled from long range (5-for-24) despite Jaloni Cambridge’s 21-point effort, and the Buckeyes fell to 3-1 while UConn improved to 3-1 and will travel to face No. 7 Louisville next.
- The game reinforced a season theme: UConn’s results hinge on Strong’s performance, and the Huskies’ early gauntlet of ranked nonconference opponents is shaping their national resume and roster questions.