Michigan ends UConn women's 39-game winning streak

The University of Michigan women's basketball team defeated the University of Connecticut Huskies 77-66 on Thursday in Ann Arbor. This result ended a 39-game regular-season winning streak for UConn that had lasted since February 2025. The victory also gave Michigan its first win over a top-2 ranked opponent in program history.

Prior to Thursday's game, the Wolverines held a 0-31 record against teams ranked No. 1 through No. 4. They also avenged their previous season loss to UConn, which marked the first meeting between the two programs. Michigan entered the contest as the fifth-ranked team in the nation, while UConn held the No. 2 spot.

Freshman Jovana Popovic led all scorers with 25 points for the Huskies. The rest of the UConn roster struggled to generate offense against Michigan's zone defense. The Wolverines controlled the game's pace, outscoring UConn 18-8 in the second quarter alone. UConn recorded double-digit turnovers less than 15 minutes into the contest.

Sarah Strong, the reigning national player of the year, spent most of the first half on the bench due to foul trouble. She missed her only field goal attempt in the first quarter and was called for her third personal foul with more than two minutes remaining in that frame. Strong fouled out with 18 seconds left in the game when UConn trailed by 10 points.

The game featured nine ties and 14 lead changes, indicating a close contest for much of the duration. UConn led by as many as five points in the first half but failed to extend that advantage. The Huskies entered halftime down six points after a scoring drought that lasted nearly two and a half minutes.

Michigan's defense forced UConn into a stagnant offensive rhythm. The Wolverines responded to every UConn scoring run with points of their own to maintain or extend their lead. The Huskies also appeared passive on the defensive end, allowing Michigan shooters to find open looks without consistent pressure or box-outs on rebounds.

Popovic maintained her composure despite a hostile home crowd. Michigan students chanted after her first miss of the game, but she responded with an 8-2 scoring run to give UConn its first lead of the night. By the six-minute mark of the third quarter, she had scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

Olivia Vukosa provided support for the Huskies while Strong sat in foul trouble. Vukosa scored back-to-back baskets with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter to tie the game for the fifth time. She held her ground against Michigan's physical defense throughout her time on the floor.

The momentum shifted decisively to Michigan late in the third quarter. The Wolverines scored seven consecutive points in a span of 55 seconds. That run established a lead that UConn never overcame for the remainder of the game.

Morgan Cheli made her season debut against the Wolverines. The redshirt sophomore missed two preseason exhibitions and the season opener against Cornell. She played five minutes in her first game in 634 days and recorded one rebound. UConn finished the game with all 13 players available for the first time this season.