Strong, Arnold star as No. 1 UConn extends winning streak to 19 games with 85-47 win over Notre Dame

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Sarah Strong had 18 points, including the 1,000th of her career, as top-ranked UConn beat Notre Dame 85-47 on Monday and extended its winning streak to 19 games.

Strong added 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots the Huskies (19-0) snapped a three-game losing streak against Notre Dame.

KK Arnold had 12 points, five assists, two steals and one turnover while drawing the defensive assignment on Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo. Azzi Fudd added 15 points and Ashlynn Shade finished with 10 points and four assists as UConn won its 35th consecutive game and posted its largest margin of victory against the Fighting Irish.

Hidalgo, who averaged 31.5 points in the previous two games against UConn, had 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting for her 85th straight game of scoring in double figures. Cassandra Prosper added 12 points for Notre Dame (12-6).

UConn used an 18-2 run in the third quarter to break the game open.

Notre Dame missed its first seven shots and the Huskies jumped out to an early eight-point lead. A basket by Arnold gave the Huskies their first double-digit point lead late in the first quarter.

Hidalgo was held scoreless in the first quarter. With UConn up 25-11, Hidalgo scored 10 of the final 12 points in the second quarter as Notre Dame cut its deficit to 32-23 by the break and became the first team this season to be trailing by less than double digits going into the second half against UConn.

Strong scored her 1,000th career point on a 3-pointer with 7:31 left in the first half. She hit the milestone in 59 games. Paige Bueckers and Maya Moore are the only Huskies to reach the milestone in fewer games.

KK Bransford hasn’t played since a Dec. 11 win over Morehead State. That left Notre Dame playing three starters at least 36 minutes.

Up next

Notre Dame: Hosts Miami on Thursday.

UConn: At Georgetown on Thursday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Strong, Arnold star as No. 1 UConn extends winning streak to 19 games with 85-47 win over Notre Dame | iNFOnews.ca
Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, center, passes the ball as UConn forward Serah Williams, right, defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Strong, Arnold star as No. 1 UConn extends winning streak to 19 games with 85-47 win over Notre Dame | iNFOnews.ca
UConn guard Azzi Fudd, left, goes up to shoot over Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, center, and forward Malaya Cowles, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Strong, Arnold star as No. 1 UConn extends winning streak to 19 games with 85-47 win over Notre Dame | iNFOnews.ca
UConn forward Serah Williams, left, is pressured by Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Strong, Arnold star as No. 1 UConn extends winning streak to 19 games with 85-47 win over Notre Dame | iNFOnews.ca
UConn guard Blanca Quinonez splits between the defense of Notre Dame forward Gisela Sanchez (30) and guard Cassandre Prosper (8) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.