Geno Auriemma ties the Division I coaching record as No. 2 UConn triumphs over No. 14 North Carolina with a score of 69-58 on Friday night. This victory marks a significant milestone for Auriemma, who has now matched Tara VanDerveer’s record for career wins in both men’s and women’s collegiate basketball.
At 70 years old and in his 40th season with the Huskies (3-0), Auriemma achieved his 1,216th career win, showcasing his enduring legacy in the sport.
Freshman standout Sarah Strong contributed significantly, adding 14 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to UConn’s success.
For the Tar Heels (3-1), Indya Nivar led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds, although the team struggled with their shooting, hitting just 36% of their shots and converting 7 of 24 from beyond the arc.
Takeaways
UConn: Bueckers made a notable impact early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone, capped off by a contested three-pointer at the buzzer. The preseason All-American finished the game with 29 points, making 12 of 21 attempts, including four three-pointers, along with four rebounds and four assists.
UNC: The Tar Heels have now suffered seven consecutive losses against UConn, with their last victory in this matchup dating back to January 2007.
Key moment
Despite trailing by 21 points, the Tar Heels managed to narrow the gap to 61-52 following a layup by Nivar with 7:03 remaining. However, they faced a setback with five consecutive empty possessions. UConn responded with a stick-back from Jana El Alfy, followed by a layup from Bueckers, restoring their lead to 13 points with just over three minutes left.
Key stat
Entering the game, the Tar Heels relied on fifth-year seniors Lexi Donarski (averaging 15.0 points) and Alyssa Ustby (10.7 points, 8.7 rebounds) for leadership. Unfortunately, both players struggled, with Donarski scoring only five points on three attempts and Ustby finishing with three points on a dismal 1-for-9 shooting performance.
Up next
The Huskies will host Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday, while the Tar Heels are set to travel to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they will face Ball State on November 23.
