Huskies rebound from loss to NC State with rout of Terps

STORRS – The big question Thursday night was how would the Uconn women’s basketball team respond to the stunning loss to unranked NC State on Sunday?

And on top of that, it was announced before the game that Azzi Fudd would be out with an undetermined knee injury. How would the Huskies deal with all of that against No. 20 Maryland?

Pretty well, as it turned out. After a bit of a stagnant offensive start, the eighth-ranked Huskies turned it up in the second quarter and played much better defense than they had Sunday and won 80-48 Thursday night back in the friendly confines of sold-out Gampel Pavilion.

Paige Bueckers led Uconn (2-1) with 24 points on 10 for 15 shooting. Aubrey Griffin, who started in place of Fudd, had 13 rebounds, nine points, four blocks and two assists.

“I think everybody who watched the game last weekend, we were very disappointed with our defensive effort,” Bueckers said. “That was a huge emphasis in practice. It started with us older guys and the younger guys brought it on defense. Having pride and a will to want to defend and keep guys in front of us, we can count on each other. I think it was the feeling we had last weekend and not ever wanting to look like that again.”

Uconn went on a 20-2 run to end the first half and led 42-27 at halftime and continued the pressure in the second half. With 5:59 left in the third quarter, the Huskies led 52-31 and Maryland never challenged.

“We learned a little bit about how we got to play and what happens when they punch back and what happens when it becomes a little bit of a back and forth,” Uconn coach Geno Auriemma said. “I just think we became a little better team today.”

Maryland junior Shyanne Sellers, who averaged 23 points in the first two games, led the Terps with 16 points. Jakia Brownturner was the only other player for the Terps in double figures (13).

“We’ve got to find some additional players to help us score, but that was dictated by how hard they defended us,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “Saw some spurts in the first half but then Paige did what All-americans do, she put the team on her back and made play after play.”