Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 40 points, rescuing UConn from its first-half doldrums and single-handedly turning a tight game against Oklahoma into an 82-59 rout on Saturday that sent the Huskies to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers had 29 points after halftime for the Huskies, who trailed 36-32 at the break. The likely No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft eclipsed her previous career best of 34 points, set Monday in UConn’s second-round victory over South Dakota State, her final home final game at Gampel Pavilion.
The electrifying senior guard matched her career high with six 3-pointers, the last two during a personal 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. Bueckers checked out of the game with 3:06 left and UConn ahead 80-51.
“Obviously, Paige was spectacular,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “That was as good a game as I’ve seen her play the whole time she’s been here, at the most important time.
“When you’re a senior and you’ve been around as long as she has, this is what you’re here to do. This is why you came here.”
The second-seeded Huskies (34-3), winners of 13 straight, will face the winner of Saturday’s late game between Southern California and Kanas State in a regional final on Monday. More here