UConn's Azzi Fudd (foreground left) defends against Marquette's Jordan King during the Big East Tournament semifinal on March 5, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Playing in just her second game after being sidelined with an injury Jan. 15, Fudd forced two turnovers in the Huskies' 81-52 win against the Golden Eagles.
The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team will face Villanova in the 2023 Big East Tournament final after defeating Marquette 81-52 on Sunday.
Marquette won against UConn earlier this season, but this time around, the Huskies’ defense dominated. It was the the second straight year that Marquette fell to UConn in the conference semifinals.
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UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards celebrates after drawing a foul against Marquette guard Jordan King during the women's Big East Tournament semifinal. Edwards led the game in both rebounds and points, scoring 20 and grabbing 12 rebounds.
UConn players had an easy time getting to the basket, as it seemed they both outsized and outmatched Marquette.
UConn’s flow appeared to click, and coach Geno Auriemma called the team’s game play “flawless.”
Forward Aaliyah Edwards shined throughout the game, scoring 12 points in the first half, which ended on 12-2 UConn run. Edwards finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, notching her 13th double-double of the season.
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UConn forward Lou Lopez Senechal (11) went 2 for 3 on 3-point attempts on her way to scoring 14 points in UConn's 81-52 semifinal win over Marquette.
Dorka Juhasz and Lou Lopez Senechal also performed well, each scoring 14 points.
Azzi Fudd made her second appearance after returning from a January knee injury, but despite playing 20 minutes, she scored only four points.
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UConn forward Dorka Juhasz battles for a ball against Marquette forward Liza Karlen. Juhasz finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Karlen scored 18 points and notched five rebounds.
Caroline Ducharme made her way back to the court after being taken out midway through Saturday’s quarterfinal against Georgetown after suffering a head injury.
The Huskies will head to their 21st Big East championship game Monday at 7 p.m. at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. They’ll play Villanova in a rematch of last year's championship game, which UConn won.
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UConn forward Dorka Juhasz (center) grabbed 11 rebounds, 10 on defense, and shot for 14 points as UConn defeated Marquette 81-52 in the Big East Tournament semifinal.
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UConn guard Nika Muhl drives to the basket under pressure from Marquette during the second half. Muhl finished with 11 points and 10 assists.
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Connecticut Public
Marquette forward Makiyah Williams tries to make a basket under pressure from UConn’s Dorka Juhasz (14) and Aubrey Griffin (44) during the women's Big East Tournament semifinal.
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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma congratulates forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) who had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds in the Huskies' 81-52 win against Marquette.
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Marquette's Emily La Chapell (21), who was held to seven points, gets stopped by UConn's Aubrey Griffin (44) and Aaliyah Edwards.
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UConn forward Dorka Juhasz (14) shot for 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in UConn's 81-52 Big East Tournament win against Marquette.
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Connecticut Public
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma directs players during a timeout. UConn outscored Marquette 48-8 from the paint in the Huskies' 81-52 Big East semifinal victory over Marquette.
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Connecticut Public
Marquette guard Jordan King (23) was held to five points, while UConn guard Nika Muhl (behind King) had 11 points and 10 assists in the Huskies' 81-52 win over the Golden Eagles in the Big East Tournament semifinal game.
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Connecticut Public
UConn forward Dorka Juhasz, who had a game-high three blocks, stops Marquette forward Liza Karlen (32).
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UConn's Dorka Juhasz (foreground left) celebrates after making a block against Marquette's Liza Karlen.
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Connecticut Public
UConn's Azzi Fudd (left) defends against Marquette's Jordan King during the women's Big East Tournament semifinal.
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Connecticut Public
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks with forward Aaliyah Edwards during the Big East Tournament semifinal against Marquette.
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Connecticut Public
Marquette head coach Megan Duffy looks on from the sideline during the closing minutes of the Big East Tournament semifinal against UConn. Marquette lost 81-52.
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Connecticut Public
UConn’s Dorka Juhasz (14) cheers on her team during the final minutes of the Huskies' 81-52 victory over Marquette in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
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Connecticut Public
UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey talks with forward Aubrey Griffin on the bench during the Big East Tournament semifinal against Marquette.
Joe Amon is a Visuals Editor with Connecticut Public’s Visuals department. As a photojournalist he has covered breaking news, sports and long form storytelling across the United States.
