Paige Bueckers Scores Career-High 40 Points, Allowing UConn to an 85-29 March Madness Blowout Against Oklahoma

Source of Picture: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/college-basketball/paige-bueckers-career-high-rcna198755

Paige Bueckers, a senior guard, was able to match her career high against Oklahoma. She delivered an electrifying 40 points to lead UConn to an 82-59 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday, allowing the Huskies to go to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Her remarkable performance came after a sluggish first half, where UConn trailed 36-32. Bueckers exploded for 29 points in the second half, surpassing her previous career best of 34, set just days earlier in a win against South Dakota State.

She exited the game with 3:06 remaining and the Huskies comfortably ahead, 80-51. “Paige was spectacular,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “It was as good a game as I’ve seen her play, at the most important time. This is why you come here — to do exactly what she did.”The senior guard nailed six 3-pointers.

“We just want to keep our season going as long as possible,” Bueckers said. “We love playing together and love this program.”

Payton Verhulst led third-seeded Oklahoma (27-8) by16 points. Despite reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013, the Sooners fell short once again against UConn, having never beaten the Huskies in their history.

Oklahoma started strong with an 8-0 lead, but Bueckers quickly responded with a 3-pointer, sparking an 11-0 run for UConn, which led 17-12 after the first quarter. Verhulst scored 13 points in the second quarter, helping the Sooners retake the lead, 36-32, at halftime.

Bueckers’s second-half surge put the Huskies ahead, and they never looked back. Her 3-pointer stretched the lead to 62-46, sealing the victory and reaffirming UConn’s championship aspirations. “At this point, everybody’s focused on winning a national title and keeping the season going,” Bueckers said. “One game, one practice, one possession at a time.”