Defending champions UConn Huskies women’s basketball are headed back to the Final Four after defeating Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish 70-52 in the Fort Worth Regional 1 final on Sunday, securing their 25th trip under legendary coach Geno Auriemma. Still unbeaten at 38-0 and riding a 54-game winning streak, UConn locked up the first Final Four spot in Phoenix and now sits two wins away from a 13th national title.

Sarah Strong led the way with 21 points, including a dominant second half, while Blanca Quiñonez added 20 in a breakout performance. Azzi Fudd contributed 13 points and four assists, shaking off a slow start to help seal the win. Despite the final margin, the game was far more competitive than UConn’s 38-point rout of Notre Dame earlier this season.

The Irish, making their first Elite Eight appearance since 2019, stayed within striking distance for much of the contest behind Hannah Hidalgo, who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and added to her record-setting steals totals. However, five turnovers—including several during a key third-quarter stretch—proved costly. That stretch ultimately defined the game.

UConn endured nearly five scoreless minutes in the third quarter but still maintained control, as Notre Dame failed to capitalize. A steal by Fudd and a layup from Jana El Alfy snapped the drought and pushed the Huskies back ahead by double digits—a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The game marked the ninth NCAA tournament meeting between the programs, but the first with a Final Four berth on the line. UConn now advances to face the winner of the matchup between South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball and TCU Horned Frogs women’s basketball in the national semifinal.

The Final Four tips off Friday, with the national championship game set for April 5.

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