Storrs, Conn. — Paige Bueckers’ explosive scoring and KK Arnold’s relentless defense led UConn to a dominant 91-57 victory over South Dakota State, securing the Huskies’ 31st consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers, playing in her final home game at Gampel Pavilion, delivered a spectacular performance, matching her career high with 34 points. The sellout crowd gave her a standing ovation as she left the floor. Arnold, who came off the bench, brought her defensive intensity, disrupting South Dakota State’s offense and helping UConn cruise to the win.
“Paige was Paige,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. “It was a great way to finish your (home) career. There is no better way than with a performance like that.”
Before exiting the court, Bueckers took a moment to address the crowd. She is expected to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft but remains focused on helping UConn win four more games and claim its 12th national title.
“I haven’t had that wave of emotions yet because we’re so focused on the task at hand and staying in the moment,” Bueckers said. “We didn’t see it as our last game at Gampel. We saw it as another NCAA Tournament game we needed to win to keep advancing.”
Azzi Fudd added 17 points, while Sarah Strong contributed a well-rounded performance with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks for the Huskies (33-3), who will face Oklahoma in the regional semifinals in Spokane, Washington.
For South Dakota State (30-4), Paige Meyer led the way with 16 points. Brooklyn Meyer, the Jackrabbits’ top scorer, sustained an ankle injury with 30.9 seconds left in the first half and was helped off the court. She returned in the second half but struggled, finishing with just four points in 28 minutes.
The Jackrabbits briefly held a six-point lead twice in the first quarter, powered by Paige Meyer’s playmaking. But UConn turned the tide after Arnold entered the game, using her defensive pressure to disrupt South Dakota State’s rhythm.
“We were just trying to find her weak points and create havoc,” Arnold said. “We were focused on limiting her shots, and it was a lot of fun because my defense creates so many opportunities. I get so excited.”
Bueckers took over from there, scoring UConn’s final 10 points of the first quarter, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. She added seven points during a 16-2 run in the second quarter that pushed the lead to 21. The Huskies were on fire in the second half, making 10 consecutive shots at one point and eight straight in the third quarter.
Up Next:
The Spokane 4 Region’s landscape shifted when star JuJu Watkins of top-seeded Southern California injured her right knee during the first quarter of their game against Mississippi State. If both teams win their next matchups, UConn could face USC in a regional rematch, as they did last year in the regional final.
