HARTFORD, Conn. – Freshman Sarah Strong and redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy each scored 17 points to lead the No. 2 UConn women's basketball team past Boston University, 86-32, in the Huskies' season opener Thursday in the XL Center.

That first half we played a half like we had hoped we would play, and then we wanted to work on some things in the second half, and it showed up that we have a lot to work on, which is good," head coach Geno Auriemma said. "That's what you want to come out of these games. This is what we're really good at, and this is what we need a lot of work on. We did get great contributions from a lot of people, and that's a great sign."

Strong, the No. 1-ranked freshman in the 2024 class, made her first start in her first collegiate game. She added six steals, four rebounds and three assists while shooting 8-for-12 from the field.

"I feel like I did start off slow and got better as the game went on," Strong said. "I just want to build on keeping aggressive and being more confident in the paint and stuff like that."

After missing the 2023-24 season to injury, El Alfy made her long-awaited debut vs. the Terriers, notching a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Redshirt senior Paige Bueckers notched 13 points, four rebounds, seven assists and five steals to begin her final season at UConn. Sophomore Ashlynn Shade scored 10 points and added a career-high six steals.

The Huskies made 25 steals vs. BU, including 15 in the first half. UConn outscored the Terriers 60-13 in the first 20 minutes, holding the visiting team to 25 percent shooting.

Five players made their UConn debuts on Thursday: El Alfy, Strong, freshmen Morgan Cheli and Allie Ziebell and graduate transfer Katilyn Chen.

"I was surprised we shot it as well as we did that first half," Auriemma said. "We know what these players can do. Some of the stuff that they're going to have to do is going to take some time, but that's half your team that's never played."

UConn's offense slowed in the second half, but the Huskies still tallied 10 steals.

After an injury-shortened bench last season, the Huskies had 10 players available in the season opener. UConn tallied 38 bench points.

The Huskies host South Florida (2-0) Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Gampel Pavilion. The game will air on SNY and the UConn Sports Network (FOX Sports 97-9).