Paige Bueckers Shines in UConn’s Victory Over Oklahoma

SPOKANE, Wash. — In an impressive performance, Paige Bueckers led the UConn women’s basketball team past the three-seeded Oklahoma Sooners with a decisive 82-59 win on Saturday, securing their spot in the Elite Eight.

Bueckers scored a career-high of 40 points, marking the highest score for a Husky in an NCAA Tournament game since Katie Lou Samuelson’s similar feat in 2017. The victory also marked UConn’s 18th trip to the Elite Eight in the last 19 seasons and 29th in program history.

‘I felt not so great in the first half, felt a lot better in the second half,’ Bueckers shared after the game. ‘We knew shots would fall. We thought we did well defensively besides a couple of mental mistakes that we made as a team, that I made individually.’

UConn trailed 36-32 at halftime, but surged in the second half, fueled by Bueckers’ 29 points in the final two quarters. Her shooting was particularly impressive, finishing with 16 of 27 attempts, including 6 of 8 from three-point range.

Key Performances and Team Dynamics

Alongside Bueckers, Sarah Strong contributed a solid performance with a double-double, recording 11 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, Ashlynn Shade and Azzi Fudd added 12 and 10 points, respectively. UConn’s defense notably limited Oklahoma star Raegan Beers’ performance, restricting her to just 10 points on 3-11 shooting.

The Sooners initially took control with a 10-0 run during the second quarter, led by Payton Verhulst, who scored 13 points in the first half. However, UConn’s strong second-half performance, which included a 27-10 outscoring in the third quarter, shifted the momentum back in their favor.

Looking Ahead

The Huskies are set to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between USC and Kansas State in the Elite Eight, bringing excitement as the tournament progresses.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Bueckers will continue her stellar play as she has solidified her standing as a top prospect for the upcoming WNBA Draft. The UConn standout has established herself as a crucial player after a challenging recovery from injury.

As UConn prepares for their next challenge, Bueckers’ historic performance remains a highlight of the tournament so far, emphasizing her importance to the team’s pursuit of success.

For further details on the game and live updates, check the official USA Today article.