For the seventh week in a row, a UConn women’s basketball player was the best in the Big East.
All-American sophomore Sarah Strong was named the Big East Player of the Week on Monday for the seventh time this season, extending the Huskies’ streak of recognitions. Redshirt senior star Azzi Fudd and sophomore guard Allie Ziebell combined to win the previous three Player of the Week honors, and Strong won three weeks in a row in January. The last time a non-UConn player earned the weekly award was Jan. 5.
Strong posted her seventh double-double of the season to power the Huskies in an 83-69 win at Villanova on Wednesday, logging 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks. She put up 11 points in the fourth quarter alone after UConn trailed at halftime. The sophomore forward played a season-low 13 minutes in the Huskies’ 81-38 victory over Providence at Gampel Pavilion on Sunday, but she still led the team in scoring with 13 points shooting 6-for-7 from the field and added three boards and two blocks.
Strong currently leads UConn in every major statistical category except for assists, averaging 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks. She is also on the verge of historic efficiency shooting 60% from the field, 40.6% from 3-point range and 89.2% at the free throw line. The sophomore phenom leads the country in defensive rating, win shares and box plus/minus.
UConn clinched the Big East regular-season title with its win over Villanova and will look to complete a third consecutive undefeated season in the conference this week. The Huskies are back in action Thursday night when they host Georgetown for their final game of the year at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.
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