On April 6, 2025, Paige Bueckers made history by breaking Maya Moore’s 15-year-old record for the most NCAA Tournament points in UConn women’s basketball history. Moore had 435 points, but Bueckers passed that mark during the National Championship game, where she finished with 17 points, three assists, and six rebounds.
She helped lead UConn to a big 82-59 win over South Carolina in Tampa, earning her first national title and the program’s 12th overall, per ESPN.
Bueckers Delivers Historic Tournament Run to Lead UConn to the Top
With her final total of 448 career tournament points and strong shooting throughout March (50.2% from the field, per ESPN), Bueckers proved she could deliver in the biggest moments.
After battling injuries, a heartbreaking Final Four loss in 2021, and heavy pressure to win, she finally joined UConn legends like Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart—ending her college career with a championship.
Bueckers’ 2024-25 NCAA Tournament run was a true breakout, as she played a huge role in helping UConn win the national title and became the program’s all-time leading scorer in tournament history.
She started strong with 34 points on 14 of 21 shooting in the second round against South Dakota State at Gampel Pavilion, where she scored 10 straight points in the final two minutes of the first quarter, ending with a tough step-back three at the buzzer, per ESPN.
She kept it going with three more big games: 31 points and six assists in the Elite Eight win over USC (78-64), 32 points against UCLA in the Final Four (85-51), and then her solid showing in the championship. Even though she wasn’t the top scorer in the title game, her presence and leadership were felt all over the court.
Paige Bueckers, a UConn legend pic.twitter.com/Ugfge1KpOT
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 6, 2025
After the game, Bueckers reflected on what the win meant to her.
“I’m just so grateful. This moment, this team, this journey—it’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid. To finally get over that hump, to win it with this group, it means the world to me. I’ve had so many ups and downs, but this makes it all worth it.”
KEEP READING: Women’s Basketball Programs With the Most National Championship Wins
Bueckers’ words after the final buzzer said it all—this title wasn’t just a win on the court; it was the reward for years of hard work, setbacks, and belief. With her legacy now sealed, she leaves behind a story of heart, leadership, and championship greatness that will be remembered in UConn history for years to come.
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