"Haven't seen some of these faces in so long": UConn star Azzi Fudd opens up after her homecoming debut vs Georgetown

UConn's Azzi Fudd once again stepped up in the absence of injured Paige Bueckers, leading the No. 7 Huskies 73-55 win over Georgetown on Saturday. Fudd was playing in her homecoming game in Washington, DC and shone, scoring 21 points.

She played high school basketball at St. John's College High School in the capital before joining UConn and had friends and family in the crowd at McDonough Arena cheering her on.

After the game, Azzi Fudd spoke with SNYtv reporter Chelsea Sherrod about how she felt playing in front of so many familiar faces and her experience in her first game at the arena.

"It feels incredible. Any game getting to play with my teammates is incredible," Fudd said. "Getting to be surrounded by extra family tonight — I mean it's really special."

"I look in the crowd now — this is my first time I'm actually looking in the crowd to see who's here, and I'm like, wow, they came. I haven't seen some of these faces in so long, so it's just a special moment."

The 21-point game against the Hoyas was the first time she scored 20 or more points in two straight games since November 2022. After this performance and her 23-point showing against Xavier on Wednesday, Fudd emerged as a crucial piece for the Huskies with Bueckers sidelined with a knee sprain.

Azzi Fudd praises teamwork and overcoming challenges for the win

The Huskies did not have a strong start to the game, trailing Georgetown in the early minutes, a deficit that stretched to the end of the first half. However, they rallied to outscore the Hoyas in the remaining three quarters to seal the 18-point win.

Chelsea Sherrod asked Azzi Fudd about the team chemistry and how it has continued to develop throughout the season.

"I felt like I personally could have done a little better," Fudd said (via SNY). "It probably wasn't the cleanest, prettiest game we played this year, but I think that just shows how we stuck through, pushed through, and got the win. Even though it wasn't the prettiest, we figured it out."

Azzi Fudd registered 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including five 3-pointers, along with one assist and one rebound in the game. Freshman forward Sarah Strong also stood out with a near double-double, tallying 16 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies. Sophomore guard Ashlynn Shade added 12 points and seven rebounds.

The win improved Geno Auriemma's team to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in the Big East. They play St. John's next on Wednesday at Carnesecca Arena in New York.