The one and only

Bueckers powers Huskies past No. 1 Gamecocks in OT thriller

STORRS — Paige Bueckers. Incredible.

The sensational freshmen added to her already growing legacy, helping No. 2 UConn take down No. 1 South Carolina 63-59 in overtime Monday at Gampel Pavilion.

Bueckers poured in 31 points — her third straight game with 30 or more — including the Huskies’ final 13 in the fourth quarter and overtime. She sealed the Gamecocks’ fate with a 3-pointer with 10 seconds in the extra session.

“She’s a player,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “She makes big shots when her number’s called time and time again.”

Aliyah Boston led South Carolina with 17 points and 15 boards. Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson each scored 11.

“There’s not much you can say,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “She’s that player.

NO. 2 UCONN 63 NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 59

She’s that player that comes along and people talk about.”

South Carolina trailed by as many as seven in the fourth before clawing back. Henderson tied it at 50-50 with 4:22 left, and Victaria Saxton followed with a layup as part of an 11-0 run. Christyn Williams missed two free throws on UConn’s next possession.

Back-to-back buckets by Bueckers tied it. South Carolina (15-2) had a chance to end it in regulation, but missed four shots in the final seconds — after UConn had turned it over on its previous possession.

The Huskies (14-1) improved to 22-3 all-time in No. 1 vs. No. 2 games and won for the ninth time in 10 tries against South Carolina.

UConn missed 11 of its first 13 shots and matched a season-low for points (10) in an ugly opening quarter. South Carolina’s offense wasn’t much better, though, and the Gamecocks led by just four to start the second. The Gamecocks stretched their lead to six, but UConn kept it close thanks to its defense and transition game.

A bucket by Aubrey Griffin, followed by a steal and layup by Bueckers, gave the Huskies their first lead at 22-21. UConn pushed it to three in the final minute of the half, but Cooke hit a buzzerbeater from halfcourt to tie it 24-24.

Williams scored her first points in the third quarter. A leaner off the glass by Bueckers sent UConn into the fourth up 41-37.

UConn didn’t hit a free throw until 4:36 left in the third quarter, and missed its first 10 3-point attempts before Nika Muhl connected in the opening minute of the fourth to put UConn up seven.

Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards each had eight points for UConn.

David Butler II / USA Today UConn’s Paige Bueckers (5) and Olivia Nelson-Ododa react after Bueckers hit a 3-pointer against South Carolina on Monday.

David Butler II / USA Today UConn’s Nika Muhl hugs guard Paige Bueckers (5) after defeating South Carolina in overtime on Monday in Storrs.

David Butler II / USA Today UConn’s Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against South Carolina guard Zia Cooke in overtime.