Huskies top DePaul, clinch top seed in Big East

CHICAGO — The UConn women’s basketball team can breathe.

After losing Tuesday to St. John’s, the No. 4-ranked Huskies bounced back and defeated DePaul 72-69 Saturday at Wintrust Arena.

The win gave UConn the No. 1 seed in next weekend’s Big East Tournament and at least a share of the conference regular-season title. UConn can earn sole possession of the regularseason crown if it beats Xavier on Monday. If UConn losses against the

Musketeers and Villanova beats Seton Hall on Monday, then the Wildcats will share the regular-season title with the Huskies.

UConn has won 10 straight conference regular-season titles (seven in the American Athletic Conference and past three in the Big East) and 29 total.

Also, in a step in the right direction, star sophomore Azzi Fudd returned to pregame warmups for the first time since Jan. 15 on Saturday afternoon as part of her rehab. She remained unavailable for the game.

Saturday’s game was nearly a rematch

Erin Hooley/Associated Press

DePaul guard Keke Rimmer, left, blocks UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards during the first half on Saturday.

of last year’s near-buzzer-beater thriller in Chicago. Except for this time there more was on the line.

The Blue Demons (19-8, 10-8 Big East) used an 8-2 run to take control of the lead heading into the fourth quarter of a game that featured nine ties and 15 lead changes.

Lou Lopez Senechal (who started the game 1 of 8) made a layup through traffic to tie the game with just 3:08 remaining. Then Aaliyah Edwards, playing with four fouls, jumped up to put in another layup and give UConn a two-point lead.