Hartford, CT–An electrified sold-out crowd of 15,684 jammed the XL Center at today’s NCAA Women’s Basketball match-up between the Butler Bulldogs and Uconn Huskies’ Play4K game day celebrating the fight against cancer.
The team paid special tribute to late husky fan Abigail Leah “Abby” Zittoun, a 13-year old CCMC beloved patient who passed away in October after her seven year battle with cancer proudly sporting “Love Abby” warm-up shirts and honoring the family with a $10,000 donation.
“It became she’s on our team and it became she’s part of our family and Abby became more than just a symbol of what we’re doing, she became an inspiration to us all. When the team went to her services, we literally could not practice that day or the next day. It was very, very emotional for our team.
We tend to look at our players like adults or young adults, but at heart they’re kids and when they see another kid like them going through what Abby was going through, it certainly leaves a lasting impression on you and makes you a better person.”
On the court, Paige Bueckers was the driving force of the Huskies demonstrating her resilience by scoring 18 points while also contributing five assists, three steals, and two blocks.
After facing criticism for her performance earlier in the week, Bueckers’ ability to bounce back was pivotal for her team’s victory. Alongside teammates Azzi Fudd and towering center Jana El Alfy, the trio set the tone early in the first quarter scoring a combined eight consecutive points. This early momentum not only established the tempo which extended a commanding lead that Butler struggled to recover.
The Bulldogs’ Kilyn McGuff was a threat scoring nine points early in the first half nonetheless, their offensive efforts were kept in check by UConn’s relentless defense. The team’s overall effort was evident as six Huskies players scored in double figures proving their depth and collaborative play style.
Azzi Fudd scored eight in the first half with a miraculous shot forcing the Bulldogs to take a timeout and regroup but UConn was just too much. The Huskies ended McGuff, Makalusky and Carmody’s scoring runs defensively by forcing them into numerous turnovers in the second quarter.
Kaitlyn Chen drained from the right corner to start off the 2nd quarter revving KK Arnold, who made a nice one-handed basket that sent the crowd in a frenzy. The Bulldogs attempted to gather a rhythm but the Huskies defense was relentless going into the break with a 59-26 advantage.
McGuff opened with a long three for the bulldogs in the 3rd. Sydney James defended by El Alfy blew passed her in the paint for a tough basket, finishing the game with nine points for the Bulldogs. Cristen Carter chipped in with four points along with five boards. She battled with Ice Brady on the blocks blocking her shots a few times in the paint. KK Arnold took the game over with a steal pushing the lead to 82-42 at the end of the third.
Lily Carmody launched a long deep three beginning the fourth quarter but it was little too late for a Bulldogs’ comeback. Qadence Samuels came into the game in the beginning of the fourth and hit three right off the bench.
Jocelyn Land drained a hail Mary three making it 88-52 with 3:56 left in the 4th, but the Bulldogs just came up a little short in the XL Center. Samuels ended the game with a nice jumper in power puff style formation sealing the Huskies win 101-59.