UConn’s Paige Bueckers secured her team’s spot in the national semifinals with a 78-64 win over USC in Monday’s Spokane Regional final. The presumptive WNBA draft’s top pick finished with 31 points and six assists, capping off an impressive performance that showcased her skills.
The Huskies’ defense played crucially in stifling USC’s offense, forcing 10 turnovers in the first half and limiting their three-point attempts until the third quarter. The Trojans managed just 21 points from their top three freshmen, Kennedy Smith, Avery Howell, and Kayleigh Heckel.
Bueckers’ teammate, freshman Kiki Iriafen, struggled to find her shot, but Strong delivered with 10 of UConn’s first-quarter point before the rest of the team picked up steam. The Huskies rallied in the fourth quarter, led by graduate student Azzi Fudd, who scored eight points and hit a trey to put UConn ahead by 14.
The victory marked the end of UConn’s season for Bueckers, as she prepares to leave the program after a remarkable career. Coach Auriemma expressed his pride in her performance, saying “At this time, you know it’s coming to an end…You just want to make it the best weekend of her career at UConn.”
The Huskies will face another opponent in the national semifinals, with their final game set for later in the week. Despite the impending conclusion of Bueckers’ UConn tenure, she and Auriemma remain hopeful about what’s to come, grateful for the experience they shared together during her last week as a Husky.
Source: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44485673/paige-bueckers-leads-uconn-another-final-four-win-usc