South Orange, N.J. — Paige Bueckers led No. 5 UConn to a dominant 91-49 win over Seton Hall on Wednesday, marking their 41st consecutive victory against the Pirates. This extended streak dates back to January 5, 1994, with UConn having not lost to Seton Hall in over three decades.
Bueckers finished with 23 points, nine boards, and five assists in another stellar performance, her 14th game this season scoring over 20 points. Her performance also helped her surpass Diana Taurasi, moving into ninth place on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 2,166 career points.
Alongside Bueckers, Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffin chipped in 15 points each, while Ashlynn Shade added 14 and Sarah Strong chipped in with 10. The Huskies, now 25-3 on the season and 15-0 in Big East play, have rebounded with four straight wins since a tough loss to Tennessee on February 6.
Seton Hall, sitting at (18-8 with a 10-5 Big East) record, got strong performances from Yaya Lops, who scored 15 points, and Jada Eads and Faith Masonius, each adding 12. However, UConn showed their dominance, especially after Seton Hall managed to trim a double-digit UConn lead to just four points late in the first half.
The Huskies closed the first half with a 15-4 run, taking a 41-26 lead into the locker room.
The game’s momentum was briefly in question when Bueckers appeared to injure her right knee, hopping off the court at halftime with little weight on the leg. Fans held their breath, fearing another serious injury to the star. However, Bueckers eased the concern with a quick, smooth pull-up jumper just seven seconds into the second half.
She quickly reasserted her role in the game and in UConn history, solidifying her place in the record books.
UConn’s victory not only kept them on track for a 32nd consecutive 25-win season, but it also set a new program record with their 41st straight win over Seton Hall, the longest streak over any single opponent in UConn history.
In the first half, Seton Hall showed resilience, briefly closing a sizable UConn lead to just two points. The Pirates capitalized on UConn’s struggles with communication and defensive switches. UConn’s Ashlynn Shade and Sarah Strong both faced foul trouble, adding to the Huskies’ challenges early on.
“We didn’t respond the way I’d like, especially early on. Seton Hall was going to play with a chip on their shoulder after we blew them out at home last month,” Bueckers commented. “We should have been more aggressive from the start, but we eventually settled into our game.”
UConn had previously crushed Seton Hall by 60 points in their earlier matchup, but the Pirates kept it close in the opening stages of this game, even tying the score twice in the first 10 minutes. Despite the early challenges, UConn took control in the second half.
Bueckers led the charge, while Chen (15 points on 6-of-7 shooting) and Strong (10 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block) added key contributions.
Coach Geno Auriemma praised Bueckers’ ability to facilitate the offense: “She’s always aware of what’s happening around her. When she’s aggressive, the whole team benefits. She could take over if she wanted, but she’s always looking to get others involved.”
With the win, UConn heads into its final road trip of the regular season, facing Butler in Indiana on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
