Paige Bueckers shined in her final game at Gampel Pavilion, matching her career high with 34 points as No. 2 UConn cruised past No. 10 South Dakota State 91-57 in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Monday.
With the victory, head coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth straight year and the 32nd time in program history. Bueckers, a fifth-year senior, notched her second career 30-point March Madness performance. She has already guided UConn to three Final Fours (2021, 2022, 2024) and aims for another deep run.
The Huskies will face Oklahoma on Friday with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Geno Auriemma React to UConn’s Second-Round Triumph
In a commanding victory over No. 10 South Dakota State, the No. 2 UConn Huskies punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. After the game, Auriemma, Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd reflected on the win.
Auriemma opened his press conference by highlighting the energy in the arena and emphasizing how special it was for Bueckers to close out her home career in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
“I hope it was pretty evident by the way the crowd reacted at the beginning of the game. The atmosphere was amazing, exactly what you want in an NCAA Tournament game,” Auriemma said. “Our fans proved once again why they are who they are and why we’re viewed the way we’re viewed.”
Auriemma credited the Huskies’ defense for shifting the momentum after a tight start.
“We knew the game was going to be played a certain way as long as South Dakota State could dictate it,” he said. “I think we changed it defensively, and that turned the tide.”
Bueckers, who tied her career high with 34 points, reflected on the emotional significance of her last game at Gampel Pavilion.
“It means everything,” Bueckers said. “I started here playing in front of cardboard cutouts, and now, experiencing the other side of it, the atmosphere was amazing. You couldn’t even hear timeouts or whistles because of how loud the crowd was.”
She emphasized the bond between the team and their fans, calling them “a part of the team.”
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“It’s been a dream to play here, a dream to wear this uniform, and a dream to play in this environment,” Bueckers said. “As much as you want it to continue, you cherish every single moment and never take it for granted.”
Fudd, who observed much of Bueckers’ scoring outburst from the bench, marveled at her teammate’s dominance.
“It’s incredible to watch,” Fudd said. “You almost feel sorry for the other team because when Paige is locked in, there’s nothing you can do to stop her. It doesn’t matter what shot she takes, it’s going in.”
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