UConn women’s basketball has produced staggering talent throughout the years, yet no one has had an NCAA tournament game as a freshman like forward Sarah Strong’s in Monday’s 78-64 Elite Eight win over USC.
The 2024-25 Big East Rookie of the Year had 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as the Huskies advanced to their 24th Final Four in program history.
Strong became the first UConn freshman with 20 points and 15 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game and just the sixth player all-time. She’s the first to accomplish the feat in the Elite Eight or later. (h/t Stathead)
Strong shot 8-of-13 from the floor and added four assists and a steal. In the second quarter, she scored against USC senior forward Kiki Iriafen, getting past the 2024-25 All-Big Ten team member with a nice spin move after receiving the ball at the elbow.
