In an impressive display of skill, UConn’s freshman standout Sarah Strong led the No. 2-seeded Huskies to a dominating victory over the top-seeded UCLA Bruins, finishing the game with a score of 85-51 during the Final Four on Friday night. This victory propelled the Huskies to the national championship showdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks, scheduled for Sunday evening.
Strong’s exceptional performance included 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists, showcasing her abilities on a national stage. Just a day prior, she received the prestigious WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award, affirming her outstanding contributions throughout the season.
All About Sarah Strong’s Mother, Allison Feaster
Sarah Strong is the daughter of Allison Feaster, who made a significant mark in women’s basketball. Joining the Harvard Crimson in 1994, Feaster was named the Ivy League Freshman of the Year in 1995 and went on to win the Ivy League Player of the Year title three times. Her remarkable college career was highlighted by leading her division in rebounds during her junior year and scoring the most points in her senior year.
Feaster is also known for her pivotal role in one of the most stunning upsets in NCAA Tournament history. In 1998, she guided the No. 16-seeded Crimson to a remarkable 71-67 win over the top-seeded Stanford Cardinal, marking the first victory for a 16-seed against a 1-seed in tournament history. During this historic game, Feaster delivered a phenomenal performance, racking up 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals, an achievement that remains noteworthy in Ivy League lore.
After being selected fifth overall in the 1998 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, Feaster had a successful 10-year professional career, also playing for the Charlotte Sting and Indiana Fever. Beyond her WNBA tenure, she showcased her talent internationally in various leagues in France, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, where she birthed Sarah in 2006. Feaster took a break from her career in 2007 but later made a return to the game.
Allison Feaster is married to Danny Strong, who also played college basketball at NC State. Interestingly, Feaster was teammates with current South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in the WNBA and her daughter, Sarah, faced recruitment from the Gamecocks. Ultimately, Sarah chose to play for the UConn Huskies, which sets the stage for a compelling national championship matchup.
Following her retirement, Feaster took on a pivotal role with the Boston Celtics as the Vice President of Team Operations and Organizational Growth, further extending her influence in the sports realm.
In a recent interview with Yahoo Sports, Feaster expressed her emotions upon witnessing her daughter flourish alongside star player Paige Bueckers for the Huskies during the NCAA Tournament. She stated,
“I just have a great sense of gratitude. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Or if you’re lucky, you get four cracks at it. I’m really grateful that she can experience this with a program like UConn, alongside her teammates, one of the all-time greats in college women’s basketball, Paige Bueckers, Geno (Auriemma) and his staff.”
Sarah Strong has had a remarkable season, averaging 16.2 points on an impressive 58.4% shooting from the field and 38.3% from three-point range, along with 8.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Her performances in the NCAA Tournament resemble the standout night her mother had 27 years ago, creating a compelling narrative for UConn and its supporters.