SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Make it 83 wins in a row for the reigning dynasty in women's basketball.
And make it six losses in a row in the series for the rival as frustrated by that streak as anyone.
Facing its most difficult challenge of the new season on the road against No. 2 Notre Dame, top-ranked Connecticut surrendered an early double-digit lead but regained control for a 72-61 win.
Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams combined for 57 points in the victory, led by Collier with 20 points. Brianna Turner led the Fighting Irish with 16 points.
Unlike so many supposed challenges to the Huskies, this was a game that should make fans yearn for the days when these former Big East rivals met four times a season. With young lineups on each side, the execution wasn't always at the same level as past encounters, but the energy in front of a full house at the Joyce Center was entirely familiar for these two. They can't meet more than twice this time around, but a rematch in Dallas in April would be something to look forward to from two teams that are very good now and have a lot of room to grow.
There is more to come from South Bend, but here are some thoughts at the final buzzer.
Player of the game: Williams is best appreciated in person, so athletic that it can get lost at times through a television screen. She finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. But so many small plays stood out, such as her ability to get a finger on Turner's turnaround shots, or shifting her body away from contact against a drive from Arike Ogunbowale, only to block the shot and keep it in play.
Turning point: Notre Dame fell behind by double digits as the second quarter began, then went on a 20-5 run. Connecticut is the team that is supposed to make game-defining runs. When Notre Dame took its 34-30 lead, it was clear this wasn't going to be a knockout decision for either team. The game began anew. The Fighting Irish responded to the first challenge with the run, but the Huskies closed the half on a 4-0 mini-run for a tie and an answer of their own.
How it was won: Breanna Stewart barely managed to average 19 points a game in any of her four seasons dominating college basketball. Collier and Samuelson each entered this game averaging that many points, with Williams not all that far behind. Connecticut has thus far leaned very heavily on the inside (Collier), outside (Samuelson) and everything in the middle (Williams) triumvirate -- and Wednesday was no different.
Those three had a lot of pressure on them and handled it superbly.
Stat of the game: Twenty-three points. That would be the sum total of points in this series that Collier, Samuelson and Williams had scored entering Wednesday's game. Again, they combined for 57 in this game.
X factor: Connecticut was in control when Collier picked up her second foul late in the first quarter. The Huskies reestablished the lead when she returned to the court at the start of the third quarter. That isn't a coincidence. Collier wasn't necessarily the best player on the court during her minutes, although she was plenty good, but her ability to put the Huskies on solid footing inside couldn't be duplicated by Natalie Butler or others.
On a smaller scale, no pun intended for the 5-foot-5 freshman, Crystal Dangerfield provided just about the only meaningful bench contribution for the Huskies. It was an up-and-down night, at least once appearing as if she took the Notre Dame band's advice as to the shot clock, but there was more up than down. There was certainly enough to bode well for the months ahead.
Stat of the game II: Poor Lindsay Allen. Notre Dame's point guard was very good, her steady and patient play so easy to take for granted. But she is now 0-5 against Connecticut in a career in which she has started every game. She is 114-2 against all other teams. To reiterate, from Ogunbowale and Kathryn Westbeld to Jackie Young (before the freshman left the game with what looked like an ankle injury in the fourth quarter), Notre Dame did plenty to maintain its place as one of the main contenders to win the title. But Allen will have to wait to beat the Huskies.
What's next: Notre Dame has a short turnaround before a potential challenge at DePaul on Saturday. That looks to be its toughest test before ACC play begins in January, although its final four nonconference games are all on the road against competitive opponents.
Connecticut, meanwhile, continues to stockpile big games before a not-so-competitive conference schedule begins. The Huskies play Ohio State at home before Christmas and are on the road at Maryland before New Year's, with road trips to Kansas State and Nebraska mixed in.