PIC: UConn’s Paige Bueckers made Fort Hays player’s pregame nightmare come true at last exhibition clash vs. Fort Hays State

Paige Bueckers' final college season is off to a great start as she led the UConn Huskies to an 89-49 win in the exhibition game against Fort Hays State on Sunday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion. The senior guard finished with 27 points on 12-for-14 shooting and took nine rebounds with two assists, one block and one steal.

This seemed like a nightmare come true for Fort Hayes player Talexa Weeter, who made a TikTok video about the clash against UConn on Friday.

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"When I get a 100 on my test but the narp next to me gets to participate in halloweekend while I'm getting my ankles obliterated by Paige Bueckers," she wrote.

After the Final Four run last season, expectations are heavy on Bueckers to deliver a championship before she moves to the WNBA. With the standout show, the guard set the tone for the regular season which the Huskies will start on Thursday, Nov. 7, against Boston University in the XL Center.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma praises Paige Bueckers after an excellent game

Throughout the off-season, Paige Bueckers noted in interviews that the time has come for her to be aggressive and lead the charge to a championship. She was also encouraged by UConn coach Geno Auriemma to be more selfish and take the shots.

After her performance on Sunday, Auriemma seems happy with Bueckers' comeback.

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"This is kind of what Paige wants to do, exactly what she did today," Auriemma said in the post-game presser. "That’s exactly how she wants to play."

Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen led the team as the Princeton transfer scored 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. The game also saw the debut of No. 1 recruit, Sarah Strong, Allie Ziebell and red-shirt freshman, Jana El Alfy. The rookies did not make a big impact, but Auriemma did not seem concerned:

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“The reason you play exhibition games is to kind of get out in public for the first time,” he said. “So you expect your veteran players to play like veterans and you expect your young players to be a little bit nervous in the beginning.”

The Huskies are yet to see Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffen, Caroline Ducharme and three more players in action as they are sidelined with injuries. With a healthy return of the players, UConn could be unstoppable in the run to end its championship drought.

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