Strong, top-ranked Huskies cruise into Big East title game with convincing win over Creighton

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UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) looks to shoot at Creighton center Elizabeth Gentry defends during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

UConn guard KK Arnold, right, steals the ball from Creighton guard Ava Zediker during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) — UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) looks to shoot at Creighton center Elizabeth Gentry defends during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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4:24 PM on Sunday, March 8

By JIM FULLER

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Sarah Strong had 23 points, seven rebounds and six steals to lead top-ranked UConn to a 100-51 win over Creighton in the Big East semifinals on Sunday as the Huskies advanced to a conference championship game for the 22nd season in a row.

UConn (33-0) shot 71% from 3-point range in the first three quarters on the way to its 49th consecutive win. It was also the 38th conference tournament win in a row as the Huskies scored 100 points in the Big East tournament for the first time. Kayleigh Heckel added nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Huskies.

Kennedy Townsend had 13 points for Creighton (16-15), which was looking to advance to conference title games in consecutive seasons for the first time since losing in the 2009 and 2010 Missouri Valley Conference championship games.

UConn made 11 of its first 13 shots as the Huskies jumped out to a 27-4 lead, Creighton only hit consecutive shots twice in the first half. Strong had 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, six steals and two blocked shots in the first half. Arnold had 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting at halftime as the Huskies lead 57-22 at the break.

Strong became the first NCAA Division I women's basketball player with at least 500 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals, 50 3-pointers and 50 blocked shots in the last 25 seasons when she had her first block of the game. Azzi Fudd hit her 100th 3-pointer of the season in the first half. She joined Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Katie Lou Samuelson as the only UConn women's basketball players with at least 100 assists and 100 3-pointers in the same season.

Up next

Creighton: Awaiting postseason bid.

UConn: plays Villanova in Big East final.

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