Nika Muhl’s double-double to remain undefeated in Big East.

Olsen’s main guards were freshman KK Arnold and senior Nika Muhl, who assisted in getting her into early foul trouble. The star player for Villanova fouled out and was benched for the opening part of the second quarter.

All night long, the Huskies struggled mightily, but each time Villanova drew too close for comfort, Arnold and Muhl kept them afloat. With 13 points from 5 of 6 shots from the field, Arnold was the team’s most productive offensive player. Muhl, on the other hand, was UConn’s all-around player with 12 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. This season, the senior point guard had double-digit assists in four different games.

Villanova lacked the obvious talent advantage versus UConn, but the Wildcats executed a solid first-half game plan. By the middle of the second quarter, Paige Bueckers and Arnold had both picked up two fouls, and Arnold was removed from the game late in the half after picking up a third. In the first half, Villanova outworked the Huskies, outrebounding them 18–16 and forcing eight turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, UConn eventually put the game away, allowing Olsen to score zero points on only three of its possessions. The standout guard for Villanova only made one field goal throughout the second half. Olsen was only able to provide one assist during the game as the Huskies restricted her ability to distribute the ball.

The Huskies are still the only team unbeaten in Big East action, and they will try to keep their winning ways when St. John’s visits Gampel Pavilion on Sunday.