After a tough loss to Tennessee, the UConn women’s basketball team bounced back with a commanding victory over Providence. Paige Bueckers, who struggled in her previous outing, led the way as UConn dominated from start to finish. With Bueckers firing on all cylinders, UConn returned to their winning ways, defeating the Friars 77-40.
Paige Bueckers Shines in UConn’s Dominant Win
Coming off a poor shooting night in Tennessee, Paige Bueckers showcased her resilience on Sunday against Providence. In a first-half onslaught, UConn built a commanding 40-16 lead, using their defense to create turnovers and generate easy points.
The Huskies capitalized on Providence’s mistakes, scoring nine points off 14 turnovers, while the Friars only managed two points from four UConn turnovers. The X page of Women’s Hoops Network made an admiring post of the player with the caption: “Paige Bueckers today.”
The team’s defensive pressure was suffocating, and Bueckers, in particular, was vocal about the team’s focus.
“Pressure’s been good, I think we can get even better. Getting out, denying passing lanes, keeping them on one side of the floor,” she told CBS at halftime.
Bueckers’ shooting also rebounded. After shooting 5-of-16 in the loss to Tennessee, she shot 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-5 from 3-point range against Providence. She also made all six of her free throws.
The athlete’s balanced scoring helped UConn put the game out of reach early. The Huskies’ defense also contributed significantly, forcing Providence into a staggering 25 turnovers, further stalling the Friars’ offense. Once UConn got rolling, they never looked back.
The dominant win pushed UConn to 13-0 in the Big East and 22-3 overall. The Huskies’ defense and Bueckers’ leadership were key to their success in this game.
As the team heads into another Big East matchup, UConn appears to be back on track, ready for more challenges ahead. The Huskies are scheduled to face St. John’s on Wednesday night in Storrs.
Bueckers’ Star Power and WNBA Future
While Bueckers shined on the court, her influence extends far beyond basketball. Her growing fanbase, cultivated through her time at UConn and with the national team, has elevated her to star status even before she turns professional. With the rising popularity, Bueckers’ name has become synonymous with success.
In a recent interview, Bueckers discussed how much she appreciated her supporters but also how difficult it was to meet everyone’s expectations.
“It makes you feel bad because you can’t get to everybody. As much as you want to sign everything, you want to take pictures with everybody, you would probably be there all night” she said. “But just want to stay appreciative of it, just stay in a state of gratitude to where people spend their money, their time, their effort to come watch us play, and we want to perform for them and do well for them. It just makes you extremely grateful to play here.”
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Bueckers’ star power has only grown, and she is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
However, the uncertainty surrounding the Dallas Wings’ struggles may factor into her decision, leading some to speculate that she could return to UConn for another season. Regardless of her decision, the Bueckers’ future in the WNBA looks bright.
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