“How she hustled and created havoc”: Paige Bueckers heaps praise on UConn teammate for “game changing” energy
Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies bounced back from Thursday's loss to Notre Dame (79-68) by beating the Georgetown Hoyas 79-44 on Sunday. Bueckers led the Big East play with that game-high 24 points, three steals and two blocks on 11-of-16 shooting (68.7%). Freshman teammate Sarah Strong added 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks while going 8-of-15 from the floor.
Bueckers talked about the energy shift Morgan Cheli brings to the roster. She commended Cheli's versatility on the court and the knack of adjusting to whatever role the team needs from her.
"Yeah, I thought tonight she really showcased how well she knows the game and her instincts and how much she hustled and created havoc and got in the lanes," Paige Bueckers said. (0:50)
"But I think with her, she can play one through five honestly, and that's like a game changer in terms of what we can run, how we can switch up our defense. But I think Morgan's just really great at adapting to whatever role and whatever position she has to play out on the floor. So, she's really easy to play in any sort of situation with any group out there."
Morgan Cheli praises Paige Bueckers' leadership
Morgan Cheli scored just five points in 18 minutes of action. However, she made both her field goals, grabbed five rebounds, garnered three steals and had her defending gloves on throughout the game.
Her 3-pointer in the final 20 seconds of the first quarter gave the Huskies a 17-13 lead and shifted the momentum UConn's way. Cheli commended Paige Bueckers' leadership and penchant to always push to be a better player.
"Honestly, Paige, in her leadership, she works really hard in her hustle, you can see every time she's on the court," Cheli said (4:08). "And, yeah, I mean just her journey so far here, and I've learned a lot from her and just how to keep going and you can always get better."
For the 6-foot-2 freshman Cheli, it was her best outing as a Husky. It comes after coach Geno Auriemma had urged the role players around Sarah Strong and Paige Bueckers to step up in crucial moments.
The Huskies are 9-1 on the season and next face the No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones on Tuesday for their fifth neutral site game.