Final answer:
The best way to correctly punctuate the bolded section in this sentence is to use a period or a semicolon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to correctly punctuate the bolded section in this sentence is to use a period or a semicolon. You can use a period to separate the sentence into two independent clauses: The UConn women's basketball program is among the nation's best. However, they play in one of the weaker conferences. You can also use a semicolon to connect two related but independent clauses: The UConn women's basketball program is among the nation's best; however, they play in one of the weaker conferences.