UConn Wins 2022 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament
Christyn Williams named Most Outstanding Player, leading the Huskies to their 20th BIG EAST Tournament crown.
Box Score | UConn Quotes | Villanova Quotes | Highlights
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Evina Westbrook had 13 points and Aaliyah Edwards added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals while spending much of her 31 minutes guarding BIG EAST Player of the Year Maddy Siegrist as top-seeded UConn defeated No. 2 seed Villanova 70-40 on Monday in the championship game of the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament presented by JEEP at Mohegan Sun Arena.
UConn, which won its second straight BIG EAST title and ninth straight conference tournament, jumped out to a 9-0 lead thanks to a pair of baskets by Azzi Fudd and a 3-pointer by Christyn Williams, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. It was UConn’s 20th BIG EAST Tournament championship.
“This is one is my favorite, my favorite championship,” Williams said after the game.
Siegrist made a 3-pointer, her only field goal in the first quarter, and a runner by Lucy Olsen to cut the lead to five late in the opening quarter.
Caroline Ducharme had UConn’s first three baskets of the second quarter to give the Huskies their first double-digit lead of the game.
The Huskies made seven of nine shots over a five-minute stretch while Siegrist did her best to try to keep Villanova close as she had the last three Villanova baskets of the second quarter. Even with her late surge, UConn led 33-18 at halftime.
A Siegrist layup and a 3-pointer by Brianna Herlihy pulled Villanova within 11 early in the third quarter but Edwards scored six points as the Huskies scored 15 of the last 18 points of the third quarter.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Williams, Carolie Ducharme and Azzi Fudd had nine points each for UConn (26-5).
Siegrist had 16 points for Villanova (23-8) which snapped UConn’s 169-game conference winning streak when the teams met on February 9.
Williams was joined on the all-tournament team by Edwards, Westbrook, Siegrist, Seton Hall’s Lauren Park-Lane and Karissa McLaughlin on the All-Tournament team.
All-Tournament Team
Aaliyah Edwards, UConn
Evina Westbrook, UConn
Maddy Siegrist, Villanova
Lauren Park-Lane, Seton Hall
Karissa McLaughlin, Marquette
Most Outstanding Player
Christyn Williams, UConn
