UConn smashes UCLA to reach women’s NCAA championship game:
Paige Bueckers’ chase for a national championship ring is still on. Bueckers and the UConn women’s basketball team knocked off Lauren Betts and No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in their Final Four matchup on Friday.
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UConn smashes UCLA to reach women’s NCAA championship game: Stats, highlights, reactions
Rachel G Bowers USA TODAY
18 hours ago
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Paige Bueckers’ chase for a national championship ring is still on. Bueckers and the UConn women’s basketball team knocked off Lauren Betts and No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in their Final Four matchup on Friday.
While Bueckers had a quiet night by her standards — 16 points — Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combined to score 41 points. The Huskies shot 55% from the floor, notched 13 steals and forced 19 total turnovers by the Bruins.
“That’s something that’s so special about this team is just how selfless we are and how we share the basketball, the basketball moves, and I think it starts on the defensive end,” Fudd said after the game. “We play team defense, and then we get the ball and we go. It doesn’t matter who shoots it, we’re happy for them.”
Geno Auriemma, in his 40th season, has the Huskies in the national championship game for the 13th time as he hunts his 12th national title. They will face Dawn Staley and South Carolina on Sunday in a rematch of the 2022 title game — the only time Auriemma has lost in the championship.
“I still think we got a whole ‘nother level to tap into, and I think that’s what we save it for,” Bueckers told the UConn locker room after the game. “We have 40 minutes to give everything we have in our entire souls and bodies.”
When does UConn women’s basketball play South Carolina?
The Huskies and Gamecocks play on Sunday, a 3 p.m. tipoff. South Carolina is aiming to become the first team to repeat as champs since UConn did it four years in a row (2013-16). The Huskies dominated the Gamecocks in a Feb. 16 win earlier this season. Here’s everything to know about UConn vs. South Carolina history, record and previous matchups.
What Paige Bueckers told UConn locker room after win
UConn senior guard Paige Bueckers addressed her teammates in the locker room after their advanced to the NCAA championship game.
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UConn women’s basketball score: Paige Bueckers back to Final Four
UConn smashes UCLA to reach women’s NCAA championship game: Stats, highlights, reactions
Rachel G Bowers USA TODAY
18 hours ago
Show Caption
Paige Bueckers’ chase for a national championship ring is still on. Bueckers and the UConn women’s basketball team knocked off Lauren Betts and No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in their Final Four matchup on Friday.
While Bueckers had a quiet night by her standards — 16 points — Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combined to score 41 points. The Huskies shot 55% from the floor, notched 13 steals and forced 19 total turnovers by the Bruins.
“That’s something that’s so special about this team is just how selfless we are and how we share the basketball, the basketball moves, and I think it starts on the defensive end,” Fudd said after the game. “We play team defense, and then we get the ball and we go. It doesn’t matter who shoots it, we’re happy for them.”
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Geno Auriemma, in his 40th season, has the Huskies in the national championship game for the 13th time as he hunts his 12th national title. They will face Dawn Staley and South Carolina on Sunday in a rematch of the 2022 title game — the only time Auriemma has lost in the championship.
“I still think we got a whole ‘nother level to tap into, and I think that’s what we save it for,” Bueckers told the UConn locker room after the game. “We have 40 minutes to give everything we have in our entire souls and bodies.”
USA TODAY brought you live updates, analysis and highlights throughout the game. Check them out below.
When does UConn women’s basketball play South Carolina?
The Huskies and Gamecocks play on Sunday, a 3 p.m. tipoff. South Carolina is aiming to become the first team to repeat as champs since UConn did it four years in a row (2013-16). The Huskies dominated the Gamecocks in a Feb. 16 win earlier this season. Here’s everything to know about UConn vs. South Carolina history, record and previous matchups.
What Paige Bueckers told UConn locker room after win
UConn senior guard Paige Bueckers addressed her teammates in the locker room after their advanced to the NCAA championship game.
“I still think we got a whole ‘nother level to tap into, and I think that’s what we save it for,” Bueckers told the UConn locker room after the game. “We don’t need any extra incentive. The game earlier this season (against South Carolina) means nothing. It’s zero-zero, the record’s zero-zero and we’re both trying to go 1-0. Get some sleep tonight, get some rest because the game is early on Sunday, so we’ll need to be rested and recovered. We have 40 minutes to give everything we have in our entire souls and bodies.”
UConn women’s basketball vs. UCLA highlights
This was a coaching clinic. Geno Auriemma ran circles around Cori Close. And Sarah Strong straight up bullied UCLA, by herself. She was a one-woman wrecking crew.
Paige Bueckers stats vs. UCLA
Superstar UConn guard Paige Bueckers finished with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting. She also recorded five boards, two assists and three steals
