Walsh Gym—The UConn Huskies started the game a little lethargic after putting up 92 points against St. John’s on Saturday at the UBS Arena in Queens, NY. But they would regroup and play UConn brand of basketball in the second quarter and never looked back.
UConn Paige Bueckers poured in 32 points and Aaliyah Edwards chipped in 17 to help No. 9 UConn beat Seton Hall 81-59 on Wednesday night in South Orange, NJ in front of announced crowd 1296.
The Huskies have played one of the hardest schedule in the country. UConn have already played seven ranked opponents and all three team’s losses this season have come against teams that are ranked in the top-11.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma leads the nation with an 88.3 win percentage and has now 1,195 career wins.
But Paige is just different and when her team needs her she put on her No.5 cape on and take her game to an another stratosphere.
“When a kid lays there a little longer than normal, it’s obviously a concern,” said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. “But she (Bueckers) seemed to be okay. She just landed a little hard.
“When the games get physical like it did tonight, she responds a certain way, certainly in that stretch. Maybe we are little gun-shy when something like that happens. It took us a little while to get our bearings.”
What kept the Huskies in the game they shot a sizzling 70% in the first half against a scrappy Pirates team.
UConn opened up the second quarter playing a two man high-low game with Bueckers and Edwards executing it masterfully. Seton Hall no answer down low for Edwards at all. The Huskies led 51-33 at the half with Bueckers going into the break with 15.
Azana Baines poured in 17 points to lead the Pirates (11-7, 3-4). Seton Hall trailed by double-figures for most of the second half, but closed the gap to 63-54 after a 3-pointer from Baines. UConn sprinted off with an 8-0 run, five points coming from Bueckers, to increase their lead to 71-54.
“Once they (UConn) get in a rhythm they are tough to beat,” said Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella. “We went to some zone to get them out of rhythm, but they run such great stuff.
“Paige understands better and better that this is her team now. That’s why she is an All-American. She’s laser focused.”
Seton Hall shot 80% from beyond the arc and 64.3% from the hardwood in the first quarter, but the Huskies limit SHU to just 15.8% from the field and 25% from three in the second, tightened up around the perimeter and the Pirates stopped hitting shots in the second half.
UP NEXT:
UConn: Hosts DePaul on Saturday afternoon. They tip off at 2 p.m. from Gampel Pavilion on SNY.
Seton Hall: Hosts St. John’s on Monday.
