UConn women rout Cornell 100-35 in Hartford
Sarah Strong and Jovana Popovic combined for 38 points as the Huskies built a 44-5 lead during the first half.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Connecticut women's basketball secured a decisive 100-35 victory over Cornell on Monday evening at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. The win marked the start of the 2026-27 regular season for the Huskies, who were 60.5-point favorites entering the contest. Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket both listed UConn with greater than a 99% probability of winning before the tip-off.
The team took control early after allowing Cornell a brief 3-2 lead. UConn responded with a 21-0 scoring run that included forcing 10 turnovers from the Big Red. The Huskies extended their advantage to 44-5 late in the first half. Cornell managed only 13 points in the first 20 minutes of play.
Sarah Strong led the team with 19 points, eight steals, five assists, and four rebounds. Serbian freshman Jovana Popovic matched that scoring output and finished the game with 19 points. Popovic also recorded three steals and contributed to a third-quarter surge where she and Strong combined for 17 of UConn's 21 points.
Marine Dursus played her entire fourth-quarter allocation and finished 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. The 21-year-old freshman from France added two steals. KK Arnold also reached double figures with 11 points. UConn finished the fourth quarter with a 27-point margin.
Cornell committed 19 turnovers in the first half and 10 in the opening quarter alone. Simone Richmond scored the Big Red's second free throw of the game late in the second quarter. Rachel Kaus hit a three-pointer to give Cornell its initial lead in the first minute of play.
Coach Geno Auriemma used the lopsided game to evaluate defensive communication. During a halftime timeout, he told the team that players must speak on defense to be ready for a matchup against No. 5 Michigan. The Huskies are scheduled to play the Wolverines on Thursday in Ann Arbor.
Morgan Cheli did not participate in warmups and wore street clothes, indicating she would not play. She has not competed in a game since February 9, 2025, due to a foot injury. Olivia Vukosa entered the game late in the first quarter, made two free throws, and recorded a block in the final seconds of the period.
The Huskies will face No. 5 Michigan on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. A flower tribute was placed in the press row to honor Carl Adamec, a local reporter who covered the program for four decades and passed away earlier this year.
