Azzi Fudd saves the day to help UConn stave off comeback bid from No. 6 Michigan

Geno Auriemma had a bad feeling going into UConn’s matchup with No. 6 Michigan on Friday at Mohegan Sun. The coach didn’t sleep well the night before and couldn’t shake a pit in his stomach throughout the day.

But after one quarter, that anxiety seemed to be for naught. The Huskies jumped out to a 22-5 lead, seemingly putting a talented but young Wolverines squad in their place. They held Michigan to 2-20 shooting and forced five turnovers while facing little resistance on the offensive end.

Michigan eventually found its footing and were set to out-score UConn 22-21 in the second quarter before Azzi Fudd hit a jumper at the buzzer. Still, with an 18-point lead at the half, the Huskies appeared to be on their way to another uneventful victory — an outcome that seemed increasingly likely when Serah Williams scored the first basket of the second half and pushed the gap to 20 points for the first time all game.

That proved to be the high water mark for UConn, though. Over the final 19:14, Auriemma’s gut instinct would be proven correct.

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