Paige’s return sparks rout
Star plays 12 minutes, scores 8 points; Huskies top St. John’s
HARTFORD — The first-quarter shot clock winded down in the background. But that didn’t stop her, and why would it?
Paige Bueckers jumped and released the ball 12 feet from the basket near the top of the key. The ball hit the rim as it went through the net, beating the buzzer. She ran to the UConn student section and threw her arms up screaming before running into a huddle of her teammates — all just as pumped as she was.
UConn women’s basketball star had returned.
Bueckers played for the first time in 10 weeks in the No. 7-ranked Huskies’ 93-38 win over St. John’s on Friday. The sophomore had spent the past two and a half months recovering from a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear. In 12 minutes, she scored eight points with two rebounds and one assist against the
Red Storm.
The sophomore was officially cleared to play Thursday after participating in full warm ups with the team on Wednesday.
At 3:41 in the first quarter, with UConn (21-5, 15-1 Big East) up by 15, Geno Auriemma reached for his bench. He pointed at Dorka Juhász then walked a couple steps more and tapped Bueckers on the knee. The sophomore stood up as the crowd at the XL Center began erupting in cheers.
While Auriemma subbed out four of his five starters in the rotation switch, it was Bueckers who was greeted by the biggest applause when her name was announced to the crowd. A handful of “Welcome back Paige” signs waved in XL Center’s crowd.
The reigning national player grabbed two rebounds in her first two minutes on the court before ending the period making her first shot attempt in over two months.
Bueckers played five minutes in the first quarter before playing the
final 1:50 of the second. By halftime she had four points, two rebounds and one assist in seven minutes of play.
The sophomore was full of smiles and energy the whole game, including busting out the moon walk during a timeout in the third quarter.
While Bueckers’ return was the highlight of Friday’s game, freshman Azzi Fudd led with 19 points (20 minutes) in UConn’s most all-around dominating win of the season. Aaliyah Edwards followed Fudd with 16 points and seven rebounds. Three other Huskies finished in doublefigures while Evina Westbrook tied her career-high with 10 assists.
The Huskies’ 51 halftime points where its most all season with the team shooting 65% in the first 20 minutes. UConn ended the game shooting a seasonhigh 63.5% with its largest margin of victory all year. The Huskies held St. John’s (11-17, 7-11) to 26.4 % shooting while forcing 19 turnovers.
UConn will play its final regular season game Sunday against Providence at
Gampel Pavilion (2 p.m.). The Huskies will honor seniors Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Westbrook and Juhász at the game. While Juhász will participate in the senior day activities, the graduate transfer from Ohio State has yet to make a decision on whether she will return to Storrs for her final collegiate season.
UPDATED SPECTATOR POLICY FOR BIG EAST TOURNAMENT
The conference announced Friday it will requite all fans 12-years or older attending next weekend’s Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the start of the tournament for entry into Mohegan Sun Arena each day of the tournament (March 4-7). All fans regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear a mask while inside the arena except when actively eating or drinking.
UConn secured the No. 1 seed in the tournament Wednesday with its win over Marquette and will begin the tournament in the quarterfinals on March 5.