NASSAU, Bahamas — In an impressive performance, Paige Bueckers led the No. 2 Connecticut Huskies to a commanding 71-52 victory over Oregon State at the Baha Mar Women’s Championship. Bueckers showcased her talent by scoring 23 points while shooting 9-of-13 from the field, contributing to the Huskies’ solid start without ever falling behind.

Joining Bueckers in a strong showing for UConn (5-0) were Sarah Strong, who is recognized as the 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year, finishing the game with 13 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and two blocks. Additionally, Jana El Alfy added 12 points to the scoreboard. Allie Ziebell was instrumental in the second quarter, netting seven points of UConn’s 20-point output in that period and helping the team establish a hefty 42-19 advantage by halftime.

For the struggling Oregon State Beavers (1-5), AJ Marotte was the top scorer with 17 points, and Kelsey Rees contributed 10 points. The Beavers are in search of a crucial victory; they have faced three consecutive losses and remain winless against Division-I teams this season. Their only victory thus far came against Division-II Northwest Nazarene, with a score of 80-52 in their opening game at home.

The matchup reiterated UConn’s dominance over Oregon State, as they now hold a 3-0 record against the Beavers, all games having occurred at neutral venues. The initial clash between these programs happened almost three decades ago, on November 25, 1995.

A key moment in the game occurred when Bueckers, also named the Big East Player of the Week, opened the scoring with a jumper. She went on to shoot 5-for-5 in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers, accumulating 11 points as the Huskies surged to a 22-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.

In terms of statistics, both teams shot a respectable 44% overall, but UConn attempted 19 more shots than Oregon State. The Huskies also displayed defensive prowess with 11 steals, forcing the Beavers into 24 turnovers, and dominated on the offensive boards with a 12-4 advantage. UConn capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers and adding 12 points from second-chance opportunities compared to just two for Oregon State.

Looking ahead, Oregon State will match up against Boston College on Wednesday for the third-place game, while UConn is set to face off against No. 18 Mississippi in the championship game on the same day.