Win could be costly
Bueckers injured in final moments of victory over rival Irish
STORRS — In the first meeting between UConn and Notre Dame in the Niele Ivey era, the Huskies came out victorious.
But it was far from pretty. In fact, it just might have been UConn’s sloppiest game all season.
The No. 2 ranked Huskies defeated No. 24 Notre Dame 73-54 on Sunday afternoon, but committed a season-high 21 turnovers and lost their best player to injury in the final minute.
In the final moments, star Paige Bueckers was helped off the court unable to put weight on her left leg. Bueckers went down in front of the UConn bench with 38.5 seconds left after losing control of the ball and tripping moments prior. She laid on the floor in obvious pain before she was eventually carried by her teammates to the bench.
Gampel Pavilion was quiet as time expired. Bueckers was unable to walk to the locker room on her own and was assisted off the bench by trainers.
Following the game, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said doctors did a quick examination on her left knee and said nothing twisted during her fall. The Hall of Fame coach said the best case scenario is a hyper-extended knee, but they’ll know more later after an MRI.
“You immediately put yourself in that kid’s shoes and (think) what are they thinking, how are they feeling right now? What’s going through their mind when something like that happens? That’s the part that really hits you in the pit of your stomach,” Auriemma said. “Initial report is she might have hyperextended it, but I think the first thing that goes through your mind is the worst thing.”
Bueckers, who finished with 22 points, five steals, four assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes, had also taken a handful of nasty falls earlier in the fourth.
Takeaways from UConn’s win over Notre Dame:
ONO LEADS FRONTCOURT
Olivia Nelson-Ododa led UConn at halftime with 12 points and nine rebounds. The senior controlled the offensive glass for the Huskies with five offensive boards in all 20 minutes of Sunday’s first half.
She was perhaps the only Husky to consistently box out under the basket on both sides of the floor. Because of Nelson-Ododa’s pressure, UConn outrebounded Notre Dame 45-32.
The 6-foot-5 forward’s two suc
cessful and-one plays in the second quarter put UConn up 28-23, leading to its double-digit lead at halftime.
Before fouling out at 3:41 in the fourth, Nelson-Ododa was a bright spot for UConn. In the quarter’s opening minute, she collected an offensive rebound and laid in the put-back layup then rushed to the other end of the court. She stole the defensive rebound from Notre Dame with UConn’s next possession ending in a 3-pointer from Bueckers.
The Georgia native finished with a season-high in rebounds (13) and points (14).
“I thought Liv had a great great day today. Liv’s put together some really solid performances, especially defensively and rebounding the ball.” Auriemma said. “We just got to get her to be less aggressive going after blocked shots because we can’t afford to have her in foul trouble. But I like how she’s demanding the ball more, being more assertive . ... We’re still not there yet but we’re way ahead of where we were before and I’m guessing it’s going to keep getting better.”
SLOPPY TURNOVERS WON’T HOLD UP
For the second game in a row, UConn had six turnovers in the first quarter. The Huskies finished the first half with 13 total with half coming from Notre Dame steals.
Whether it was rushed passes getting intercepted or missed rebounds or traveling or even illegal screens, UConn couldn’t catch a break. All eight of the Huskies who played finished with at least one turnover, with four players having three or more.
“We’re not very bright. Our basketball IQ at times leaves a lot to be desired,” Auriemma said. “We don’t see things that are open and then we try to do things that aren’t open. … Part of it is we’re playing too fast, we’re not letting things develop the way you need to do to run efficient offense. Not enough people making outside shots, so now you start to force things.”
The Huskies finished with a season-high 21 turnovers. In UConn’s lone loss this season to South Carolina, the Huskies had 19. The last time the Huskies had over 20 turnovers was when they had 21 against East Carolina on Jan. 25, 2020.
While the Irish were doing their part to take advantage of UConn’s lapses Sunday, some of the sloppier turnover calls, like traveling and illegal screens, are not acceptable for a team with Final Four aspirations. With top 10ranked Louisville in two weeks, the Huskies will need to shape up to be ready to face an even tougher opponent.
“I think when they write the history of UConn women’s basketball, I don’t think this team will be included in that chapter of ‘Play Smart.’ Right now we’ve got some work to do in that area,” Auriemma said. “We’re our own worst enemy and in the first half, we’re up 10 at halftime and it should have been 20something. When you turn the ball over again again and again, dumb ones too ... You’re not going to be able to beat the best teams and continue to do that.”
DUCHARME ARRIVES
After freshman Caroline Ducharme struggled against Seton Hall on Friday (one turnover in six minutes), she had a breakout game Sunday, finishing with 14 points and three rebounds.
The freshman had five straight points, including a 3-pointer assisted by Bueckers, in the fourth quarter to give UConn a 15-point lead and force Notre Dame to a timeout. Moments later, Ducharme made a behind-the-back layup under the basket.
“Glimpse of the things that she can do,” Auriemma said. “I think when Caroline came in, she changed the complexion of the game.”
Ducharme’s positive contribution Sunday is a good sign for a team still looking for a solid replacement for star freshman Azzi Fudd, who is out for at least the next week with a foot injury.
“I think the last two games I’ve just been overthinking what I need to do,” Ducharme said. “And today I just tried to go out and play and not think about things too much.”