Maggie Vanoni

I covered UConn women’s basketball during the 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons for Hearst CT Media. My traditional beat reporter responsibilities included game stories, breaking news and features while following the program’s alumni in the WNBA. My stories were published online and in print through Hearst CT Media’s various local news outlets in Connecticut including the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Post and the Stamford Advocate.

Geno Auriemma wins record-setting 1,217th career game as UConn women's basketball defeats FDU

The game didn’t matter and neither did the score. The night was all about Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey’s impact on UConn women’s basketball on the night Auriemma set the NCAA all-time basketball win record on Nov. 20, 2024.

Geno Auriemma ties all-time win record as Paige Bueckers leads UConn over UNC: 'Super proud of him'

Geno Auriemma tied the all-time NCAA basketball win record with UConn women’s basketball’s defeat of UNC on Nov. 15, 2024. However, the accomplishment didn’t matter to Auriemma on this day. What mattered was that his star freshman Sarah Strong got the recognition she deserved after her dominant game in her home state.

UConn women’s basketball great Sue Bird has emotional farewell with WNBA loss: ‘Thank you, Sue’

UConn legend Sue Bird stood at center court at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and bit her lower lip as she looked out at her hometown crowd in Seattle. Her eyes began to water, and she tried to hold back the sniffles when the crowd started chanting, “Thank you, Sue!” On Sept. 7, 2022 Bird played her final WNBA game before entering retirement.

UConn women's basketball falls to No. 20 Maryland with just seven players: 'Gutsy, amazing performance'

The Huskies had just seven available players. Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Nika Mühl, Dorka Juhász and Ice Brady all sat on the bench in sweat suits, unavailable due to their respective injuries. UConn was able to hang close to Maryland for much of the game despite the short bench. However, the Huskies ran out of gas in the final five minutes and fell to the Terps fell 85-78. It was also an emotional day for coach Geno Auriemma, whose mother died three days prior.

UConn women's basketball defeats Princeton to avoid back-to-back losses, but suffers another injury

UConn’s 29-year streak without back-to-back losses was saved – yet it may have come at a cost. In its first game without star sophomore Azzi Fudd (out three to six weeks with a knee injury), the No. 6-ranked Huskies held on to beat Princeton 69-64. However, the Huskies suffered another potentially severe injury to a starter when point guard Nika Mühl suffered an apparent head injury in the opening minutes of the third quarter.

Paige Bueckers’ return sparks UConn women’s basketball team to rout of St. John’s: ‘A lot of fun’

2021 National Player of Year Paige Bueckers returned to court after spending 10 weeks recovering from a tibial plateau fracture and a meniscus tear. I followed the sophomores injury and initial diagnosis in December and her return to the court in warm ups/practice leading to UConn’s win over St. John’s.

UConn women’s basketball defeats DePaul, avoids consecutive losses for first time since 1993

Two days after UConn’s 169-game win streak over conference was snapped by unranked Villanova, the Huskies came out and dismantled a shorthanded DePaul to avoid back-to-back losses. UConn’s 16-point win showed improvement from when the Huskies barely edged out the Blue Demons on a last-second shot earlier in the season in Chicago.

UConn women’s basketball secures Big East regular season title with Paige Bueckers in uniform

For the first time since December, UConn’s star sophomore dressed down in uniform and warmed up with the team. While her participation in warm ups was a part of her rehab progression after her knee injury, it showed Bueckers was that much closer to returning to the court full time. The Huskies used her spark in warm ups to defeat Marquette and clinch the program’s 21st Big East regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.