WATCH: Paige Bueckers’ skillful buzzer-beater gets the UConn crowd on their feet
Paige Bueckers enthralled a sold-out Harry A. Gampel Pavilion with a moment of sheer skill in the second-ranked UConn Huskies' 86-49 win over the South Florida Bulls on Sunday. The senior guard made the most of a tough situation in the second quarter, beating the shot clock with a brilliant play that got the UConn faithful at Storrs on their feet.
With the Huskies leading 21-13 with 8:35 to go in the second quarter and six seconds left on the shot clock, sophomore guard KK Arnold handed the ball to Bueckers.
Bueckers then took a few seconds before moving into the paint with four seconds to go. She fended off the challenge from a USF double-team in the paint to shoot a floater with just under a second to go on the shot clock. The ball went in as soon as the buzzer sounded off, drawing raucous cheers from UConn fans, who got out of their seats to acknowledge one of the program's greatest players.
Paige Bueckers enjoys solid outing against South Florida Bulls
Paige Bueckers' mesmerizing performance against the Bulls lasted just a little under three quarters as Huskies coach Geno Auriemma pulled her with 1:25 left in the third quarter. By then, the Huskies enjoyed a massive 69-39 lead, and Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen got game time by subbing in for the Preseason Big East Player of the Year.
Paige Bueckers finished as the Huskies' top scorer, powering them to a dominant 86-49 victory. She scored 22 points while recording three rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes. She also shot 9 of 10, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, to wrap up another spectacular display.
Bueckers was supported by 2024 Big East Freshman of the Year Ashlynn Shade and the nation's top recruit in the Class of 2024, Sarah Strong. Shade finished with 15 points, while Strong stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Huskies will travel to the Greensboro Coliseum to face the No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.