Paige Bueckers Bids Farewell to Gampel Pavilion in Style
As the clock ticked down to 3:38 in the second round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament, No. 2 seed UConn triumphed over No. 10 seed South Dakota State with a score of 91-57. This game marked the final appearance of Paige Bueckers on the Gampel Pavilion court, where she received a heartfelt standing ovation after scoring 34 points, equaling her career high. Bueckers also contributed three rebounds, four assists, and four steals to the team’s success.
A Moment of Gratitude
After the game, Bueckers took the microphone from the public address announcer to share her thoughts with the audience while her coach, Geno Auriemma, and teammates looked on with pride.
“On behalf of our seniors and the entire team, I can say I’ve had the time of my life here,” Bueckers expressed. “This has been the dream five years I envisioned as a kid. I cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support. You’ve made this place a second home for us. We have the best supporters in the nation. Thank you for this season and all that you’ve done. We’d love to see you in Spokane!”
Record-Breaking Performance
Bueckers’ 34-point performance was the highest score by a UConn player in the NCAA tournament since Maya Moore scored 36 points against Notre Dame in the 2011 Final Four. This also marked Bueckers’ sixth game with 25 points or more in the tournament, tying her with Moore for the most such performances by a UConn player in the past 25 years.
A Legacy of Resilience
With a total of 2,335 career points, Bueckers ranks sixth on UConn’s all-time scoring list, despite playing only 119 games over five years due to multiple injuries, including a torn ACL that kept her out for the entire 2022-23 season. Reflecting on her college journey, she noted, “While my career hasn’t gone as planned, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
In an interview with ESPN, she added, “The emotions haven’t overwhelmed me yet. I felt emotional before today’s game, just appreciating everything that has come my way. I am deeply thankful for my teammates, the relationships we’ve built, and even the challenges I faced, including injuries.”
“The support here is unparalleled. I love playing in this jersey; it is an honor,” she concluded.
The Road Ahead
With this victory, UConn advances to the Sweet 16 for the 31st consecutive year, setting the record for the most consecutive appearances. The Huskies are set to face off against the No. 3 seed Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. While the challenges will mount as they progress, the ultimate goal of capturing another national championship is within reach.
Despite holding an impressive record of 11 national titles, UConn has not claimed a championship since 2016. For Bueckers, the trophy remains the only missing piece in her illustrious career. Maintaining focus, she stated, “We believe in ourselves, but we’re solely concentrating on the present.”
“We take it one game at a time, one practice, one rest day, and one travel day at a time. Knowing that numerous other teams are vying for the national title, we must keep striving to be the best versions of ourselves every single day.”
