Box Score: UConn needs just three quarters to dominate Italian All-Stars, 78-21

UConn women’s basketball played the third game of its European tour on Monday, defeating the Italian All-Stars 78-21 in a game that ended after three quarters in Baricella, Italy. Afterward, the team sent out a box score that only included the Huskies’ stats.

Note: The following is based solely on the box score.

Three quarter contest

After three quarters, UConn and the Italian All-Stars mutually decided to end the game. Why? While the team didn’t provide an official explanation, the rumor on Twitter/X was that the gym didn’t have air conditioning and the temperatures inside were in the high 90s.

Starters: Nika Mühl, Azzi Fudd, Caroline Ducharme, Aubrey Griffin, Aaliyah Edwards

The biggest news out of Monday’s game was the return of Caroline Ducharme. The junior left UConn’s opening contest after taking a ball off the head and sat out the following game in Slovenia. Considering Ducharme’s history with head injuries, her inclusion in the starting lineup was a welcome surprise.

Statistical leaders

Points: 16 — Qadence Samuels
Total rebounds: 9 — Aaliyah Edwards
Offensive rebounds: 5 — Aubrey Griffin
Assists: 5 — Inês Bettencourt
Steals: 6 — KK Arnold

Minutes management

UConn’s box score was done by hand and did not include minutes.

Stat-line stars

Qadence Samuels: The freshman led the team in scoring and did most of her damage from inside the arc. Despite building a reputation as a lethal shooter throughout the offseason, Samuels went just 2-7 from three but 5-6 from two. She also grabbed five rebounds and recorded zero turnovers.

KK Arnold: If there’s a breakout player from the European trip, it’s Arnold. She put together another strong performance with 13 points on 6-12 shooting, six steals, and three assists.

Ashlynn Shade: Not to be outdone by her fellow classmates, Shade had her highest scoring output of the trip with 10 points while grabbing eight rebounds (half of which were offensive), and three steals. She did turn the ball over four times, though.

Aubrey Griffin: For a player that’s struggled with consistency in the past, Griffin has been steady overseas. She put in another solid effort with 10 points, seven rebounds (five offensive), three assists, and three steals.

Azzi Fudd: While we can only learn so much from a box score without minutes, UConn seemed to give its veterans a lighter load on Monday. Fudd had just 10 points and only took seven shots while Aaliyah Edwards recorded just four points (but nine rebounds) and Nika Mühl had two points and two assists.

Leaders through three games

Points

1. Azzi Fudd — 22.3

2. Aaliyah Edwards — 15.0

3. Qadence Samuels — 12.3

4. Aubrey Griffin — 11.7

5. KK Arnold — 10.0

Rebounds

1. Aaliyah Edwards — 9.3

2. Aubrey Griffin/Ashlynn Shade — 6.3

3. Ice Brady — 5.7

4. KK Arnold — 4.7

Assists

1. KK Arnold — 5.0

2. Nika Mühl — 4.3

3. Inês Bettencourt — 3.7

4. Aubrey Griffin — 3.3

5. Caroline Ducharme — 2.5

Off the court

What’s UConn been up to when it’s not playing?

At the Ferrari Museum, UConn learned about the history of the company and also participated in a track simulator and pit crew challenge. The winning pit crew was Amari DeBerry, Ben Kantor, and Jamelle Elliott, who changed a tire in 4.8 seconds.

In the pasta-making class, UConn learned to make two Bologna specialties: Garganelli and tortelloni. The next day, the players went to Cervia, Italy where they relaxed at a beach club and played a game of beach volleyball. At the same time, some of the coaches and staff visited San Marino, the fifth-smallest country in the world.

After the Huskies’ third game, they went to a soccer match and watched AC Milan beat Bologna FC in the Serie A opener. US star Christian Pulisic scored in his debut for AC Milan.

Paige Bueckers update

Bueckers is still having fun even if she’s not playing.

Full box score