UConn Women Defeat Texas 83-61 in Exhibition
The Huskies secured a decisive victory in Hartford behind strong performances from Jovana Popovic and Sarah Strong.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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The UConn women's basketball team defeated Texas 83-61 in a preseason exhibition game held in Hartford. UConn players Sarah Strong and Jovana Popovic led the offensive effort by combining for 49 total points.
Why it matters
The game provided a key test against a high-caliber opponent before the regular season begins. UConn utilized defensive strategies like double-teaming Madison Booker to maintain control throughout the matchup.
UConn shot 10-of-18 from the three-point line and outscored Texas 21-0 off turnovers. Jovana Popovic added seven rebounds and five assists to her 22-point performance, while Madison Booker led Texas with 23 points.
The players
Sarah Strong
She is a key playmaker for the UConn women's basketball team who contributed 27 points in the preseason victory.
Jovana Popovic
She is a standout performer for the Huskies who recorded 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists during the exhibition.
Madison Booker
She is a leading scorer for the Texas women's basketball program who accounted for 23 points against UConn.
Allie Ziebell
She is a player for UConn who logged 21 minutes of playing time during her collegiate preseason debut.
Morgan Cheli
She is a member of the UConn roster currently listed as day-to-day due to an unspecified injury.
The details
UConn maintained a high offensive efficiency while effectively disrupting Texas by forcing turnovers. Defensive pressure focused heavily on limiting Texas scoring, helping the Huskies secure a comfortable margin despite committing 17 turnovers themselves.
Timeline
The exhibition game took place in Hartford on October 19, 2026.
UConn will conclude its preseason schedule against Army on October 25, 2026.
The 2026-27 regular season opener against Cornell is scheduled for November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This exhibition performance sets a dominant tone for UConn as the team prepares to integrate new talent and handle roster injuries before conference play. The decisive win against a top-tier opponent like Texas significantly elevates expectations for the Huskies in the upcoming season.
Sarah Strong and Jovana Popovic have emerged as primary scoring threats, signaling a shift in rotation usage for fantasy tracking. UConn's efficient 54% field goal shooting suggests a high-paced offensive system that will likely dictate the tempo for future regular season matchups.
The takeaway
The Huskies demonstrated strong offensive versatility by balancing perimeter shooting with high-percentage field goals. Consistency in reducing turnovers will be the primary focus for the coaching staff as they integrate players like Allie Ziebell into the rotation.
What happens next
UConn will face Army in its final preseason game on October 25, 2026, followed by the regular season opener against Cornell on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the Huskies, follow the Basketball coverage on Wisevoter.
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