Strong, the sensational sophomore, dominated the first half with 20 points and five steals as UConn led 42-31. UConn was up 22-12 after one quarter before Iowa was able to get within six in the second. Strong wouldn't let the Hawkeyes get closer as she scored seven points, including the first five, in a 10-2 run that gave the Huskies a 35-20 advantage midway through the quarter.
The past week has been up and down for Iowa State fans. The men's hoops team beat top-ranked Purdue on Saturday and replaced the Boilermakers as a 1-seed as a result. But longtime football coach Matt Campbell also left for Penn State, and the university faces a hefty fine from the Big 12 for the Cyclones declining to play in a bowl game.