Paige Bueckers, the UConn star, continues her impressive NCAA tournament run, leading her team to their 16th Final Four appearance in 17 years. In a hard-fought Elite Eight matchup against USC in Spokane, Washington, Bueckers delivered a stellar performance, scoring 31 points and dishing out 6 assists, propelling UConn to a decisive 78-64 victory.
This marks Bueckers’ fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, a testament to her exceptional talent and consistent leadership. Her impressive 31-point game pushed her past Napheesa Collier into third place on UConn’s all-time scoring list, solidifying her legacy as one of the program’s greats. Furthermore, ESPN Research highlighted Bueckers’ remarkable achievement of scoring 30 points on 50% shooting in three straight NCAA tournament games, a feat only matched by Jackie Stiles since 2000.
USC, playing without their star player JuJu Watkins due to an ACL injury, displayed remarkable resilience. Rayah Marshall led the Trojans with an outstanding 23 points and 15 rebounds, but ultimately fell short of their first Final Four appearance since 1986. Their valiant effort, however, showcased their team’s strength and potential for future success.
UConn’s dominant performance wasn’t solely due to Bueckers’ brilliance. Freshman Sarah Strong made history as the first UConn freshman to achieve a 20-point, 10-rebound game in the Elite Eight or later, providing crucial support in the early stages of the game. The Huskies’ strong 3-point shooting (10-for-22) also proved decisive, marking the first time USC had allowed an opponent to reach double digits in 3-pointers this season. While USC mounted a comeback attempt in the third quarter, UConn’s defense and the clutch performances of Azzi Fudd and Kaitlyn Chen secured the victory. Fudd’s eight fourth-quarter points, including two crucial 3-pointers, were instrumental in sealing UConn’s advancement to the Final Four.
UConn will now face UCLA in the national semifinal in Tampa, Florida, opening as a significant favorite according to ESPN BET odds. This sets the stage for an exciting showdown as UConn aims to achieve their ultimate goal: a national championship. The journey continues for Paige Bueckers and the Huskies, who are poised to make a strong push for the title.
