Paige Bueckers stats today - How did UConn star fare vs South Florida? (Nov 10)
UConn guard Paige Bueckers scored 22 points in an almost perfect night to lead the Huskies to an 86-49 victory over South Florida on Sunday at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs.
Three days after an efficient season debut against Boston University, Bueckers put up a show for the sold-out crowd, making 9 of 10 shots, including 2-for-3 from the 3-point line. She was 2 of 3 from the free throws to complete an excellent shooting day for the No. 2 seed Huskies.
The fifth-year senior out of Hopkins, Minnesota, piled up the points early, making her first four attempts, including a fastbreak 3-pointer off transfer guard Kaitlyn Chen. She scored on various jumpers and layups to compile 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting at the end of the first half.
Bueckers scored her last three points in the third period, on a triple that gave UConn a 48-29 lead with 7:49 left. That triple sparked a 28-10 surge that gave the Huskies a 73-39 advantage after three quarters.
The 6-foot guard sat most of the fourth quarter when the result was already in their favor. With the win, UConn improved to 2-0 while South Florida suffered its first loss in three games.
Below are Bueckers' final stats from the game.
Huskies vs Bulls game recap: Paige Bueckers waxes hot early; Ashlynn Shade, Sarah Strong provide support in UConn beatdown of South Florida
Paige Bueckers stamped her class early for UConn, scoring 19 points on 89% shooting from the field. Her scoring burst gave the Huskies a 43-25 cushion at the half.
Bueckers scored her last points in the early part of the third frame, sparking a crucial surge that gave UConn a comfortable edge going into the payoff period.
As the fifth-year senior pulled off her best offensive game of the season, Ashlynn Shade and Sarah Strong also scored double figures for the Huskies. Shade finished with 15 points, on 7-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, one assist and two steals in 29 minutes.
On the other hand, Strong continued her impressive start to the season, tallying 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. The freshman also made 5-of-8 shots, including 1-of-4 from the 3-point area and 2-of-2 from free throws.
Kaitlyn Chen contributed eight points, two rebounds and seven assists for the Geno Auriemma-coached squad while Ice Brady also finished with eight points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
UConn shot 38-of-57 on a 66.7% clip from the field, including 6-of-16 from the 3-point area. The Huskies outrebounded the Bulls, 35-27, and lorded over the assists (20-9) and steals (9-2) departments to complete the rout.
UConn will go for its third straight win against North Carolina on Nov. 15 at the Greensboro Coliseum.