UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Paige Bueckers put on an electrifying performance, scoring 21 of her 23 points in the first half, as No. 3 UConn cruised to an 82-54 victory over Villanova on Sunday, securing a spot in the Big East championship game.
Sarah Strong was a force on both ends, contributing 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds for the Huskies (30-3), who will aim for their fifth consecutive Big East title when they face Creighton on Monday night.
Bueckers dazzled a large crowd, which included representatives from the Dallas Wings front office, who hold the No. 1 pick in next month’s WNBA Draft. Her scoring prowess, both inside and outside, helped UConn break open what was a close game, pushing the Huskies to a 47-37 lead by halftime.
The Wildcats (18-14), led by Maddie Webber’s 15 points, struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to recover from a long dry spell. Villanova could never get within single digits again after the Huskies’ surge.
Key Takeaways:
Villanova: The Wildcats have had a strong finish to their season, winning 10 of their last 15 games, though four of those losses came against UConn and Creighton. They now await an invitation to a postseason tournament.
UConn: The Huskies have reached the Big East Tournament finals for the 14th consecutive year. Their last absence from the championship game was in 2004, before they joined the American Athletic Conference for seven years (2014-2020).
Key Moment:
With UConn leading 37-33 and just over three minutes left in the second quarter, the Huskies exploded with a 22-4 run, turning a tight game into a comfortable advantage. Strong was pivotal during this decisive stretch, scoring 11 points.
Key Stat:
Villanova was held without a field goal for the entire second half until Ryanne Allen hit a jumper with 4:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats missed their first 16 shots, including all 11 attempts in the third quarter, as UConn dominated the game.
Up Next:
UConn will face Creighton in the Big East championship game on Monday night.
