Hartford, Conn. — No. 2 UConn cruised to a dominant 79-44 victory over Georgetown in their Big East opener on Sunday, with Paige Bueckers leading the way with 24 points. Sarah Strong also played a pivotal role, contributing 17 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in the win.
UConn, coming off a 79-68 defeat to Notre Dame, responded strongly with a nine-point run in the second quarter and a 14-point surge in the third. The victory kept the Huskies unbeaten at home this season. Ashlynn Shade added nine points to the effort, and UConn (9-1) only trailed for a brief 13 seconds at the start of the game.
Kelsey Ransom, the Big East’s leading scorer, struggled in the first half, scoring just two points on 0-of-4 shooting. Ransom, who averages 21.1 points per game, finished with seven points on 2-of-9 shooting and had a tough time handling the ball, committing nine turnovers. She was forced to leave the game early in the fourth quarter after taking a hard fall. For Georgetown (6-5), Ariel Jenkins posted 10 points and nine rebounds, while Jaeda Wilson, making her first start of the season, added 10 points.
Key Takeaways:
- Georgetown: The Hoyas extended their losing streak against UConn to 39 games, with their last victory over the Huskies dating back to February 27, 1993.
- UConn: The Huskies’ defense proved overwhelming, outscoring Georgetown 47-16 in the second and third quarters combined.
Crucial Moment:
After struggling with their shooting early on, UConn found their rhythm late in the first quarter and into the second, hitting six consecutive shots. The Huskies’ momentum carried into the second half, where they opened with a 9-0 run to establish a commanding 26-13 lead.
Key Statistic:
UConn capitalized on Georgetown’s mistakes, scoring 25 points off 19 turnovers. In contrast, the Hoyas managed only two points off nine turnovers from the Huskies.
Looking Ahead:
Georgetown will face Maryland-Eastern Shore in their final non-conference game of the regular season on December 28. UConn, meanwhile, will take on No. 18 Iowa State on Tuesday at Mohegan Arena as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.
