Historic Performance by Paige Bueckers Sends UConn to Elite Eight
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — In a stunning display of talent, Paige Bueckers netted a career-high 40 points, leading the UConn Huskies to an impressive 82-59 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday. This dramatic turnaround propelled the Huskies into the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament after a challenging first half.
Bueckers, who scored 29 of her points after halftime, was instrumental in reversing a 36-32 deficit at the break. The senior guard, a front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, exceeded her previous best of 34 points achieved just days earlier during UConn’s second-round match against South Dakota State, which marked the final game of her home career at Gampel Pavilion.
Matching her personal record, Bueckers hit six 3-pointers, culminating in a remarkable 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. She exited the game with 3:06 remaining and the Huskies comfortably leading 80-51.
“Paige was absolutely phenomenal,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma remarked. “This performance showcases the best of her abilities at the most crucial moment of her career. As a senior, this is the time for her to shine, and she truly delivered.”
Team Efforts and Future Challenges
Now with a record of 34-3 and on a winning streak of 13 games, the second-seeded Huskies are set to face the victor of the Southern California versus Kansas State game in the regional final on Monday.
Contributions from Ashlynn Shade, who scored 12 points, and Sarah Strong, who achieved a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, further solidified UConn’s quest for a historic 12th national title. The Huskies have made their mark by reaching the Elite Eight for the 18th time in 19 seasons, although they last claimed the championship in 2016.
“We just wanted to extend our season for as long as possible,” Bueckers expressed. “Playing together, in this environment, with such love for our program drives us.”
On the opposing side, Payton Verhulst led third-seeded Oklahoma (27-8) with 16 points as the Sooners made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. However, they have yet to overcome UConn, even in their previous face-offs, including the 2002 national championship game.
“While this loss is undoubtedly painful, I emphasized to our seniors that they’ve been pivotal in cultivating our culture at Oklahoma,” Verhulst said.
Game Highlights
The Sooners initially surged to an 8-0 lead, but Bueckers ignited UConn’s offense with a 3-pointer shortly after the game began, allowing the Huskies to go on an 11-0 scoring run. UConn wrapped the first quarter with a 17-12 lead.
Verhulst’s long-range bucket briefly reclaimed the lead for Oklahoma at 24-23, contributing to a second quarter in which she scored 13 points, sending the teams into halftime with the Sooners ahead by four.
With her eye on continuing UConn’s championship aspirations, Bueckers quickly made her mark in the third quarter, scoring eight points early and pulling the Huskies back in front. Her layup boosted UConn’s lead to 48-40, and they maintained dominance, finishing the third quarter with a 59-46 advantage.
Bueckers’ additional deep 3-pointer solidified a commanding 62-46 lead, illustrating her relentless determination to secure the win and send a strong warning to any future opponents in the championship chase.
“At this stage, everyone is striving to keep winning, aiming for the national title while extending their season,” said Bueckers. “Our focus remains on taking it one game, one practice, and one possession at a time.”
Breaking Records
With her 40-point performance, Bueckers moved past Tina Charles to claim fourth place on UConn’s all-time scoring list. The talented guard from Minnesota made waves upon joining UConn in 2020, earning national player of the year honors as a freshman. Unfortunately, her journey faced challenges over the next two seasons due to injuries, including an ACL tear that sidelined her for the entire 2022-23 season.
Correction Notice
This report has been updated to clarify that UConn lost to Iowa, rather than South Carolina, in the 2024 Final Four.
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