PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — In an intense matchup at the Baha Mar Women’s Championship, the No. 2 UConn Huskies triumphed over the No. 18 Mississippi Rebels with a score of 73-60 on Wednesday night. Paige Bueckers emerged as a standout player, scoring 29 points, while Azzi Fudd contributed 18 points to secure the victory for UConn.

The dynamic duo shone in the second half, combining for 15 points as UConn took charge of the game, particularly after almost squandering a 21-point advantage during the third quarter. Sarah Strong also made a significant contribution with 10 points, helping the Huskies to maintain their perfect season record at 7-0.

UConn started the game strong, with Bueckers scoring seven points during a decisive 15-1 run that established a commanding 17-3 lead. The Rebels struggled initially, managing a dismal 1-for-13 shooting at the start of the game. By halftime, the score stood at 37-18 in favor of the Huskies.

After halftime, the Rebels made a determined effort to close the gap, mounting a 15-point surge that narrowed UConn’s lead to just 41-38. However, Fudd quickly responded with a crucial three-pointer and a jumper. As the third quarter came to a close, a buzzer-beater from Bueckers allowed UConn to maintain a slight edge of 52-46 heading into the final period.

For Ole Miss, KK Deans led the scoring with 17 points, while teammates Kennedy Todd-Williams, Starr Jacobs, and Madison Scott added 13, 11, and 10 points, respectively.

Some key takeaways from the game included UConn’s turnover struggles in the third quarter, where they recorded eight turnovers while the Rebels attempted to mount a comeback. Once the Huskies corrected their mistakes, they hit eight consecutive shots, boosting their momentum. Despite a disappointing first half, Ole Miss showcased their resilience during the third quarter and displayed promise for future games.

A pivotal moment occurred when UConn’s lead diminished to just three points within a mere three minutes. Fudd intervened decisively, sinking a three-pointer and a jumper to help UConn regain control and ensure the victory.

Statistically, UConn’s shooting performance was impressive, hitting 51.6% of their shots (16 of 31) in the first half compared to Ole Miss’s dismal 15.6% (5 of 32). While Ole Miss improved to 47% shooting in the second half, UConn excelled with an impressive 68%.

Looking ahead, Ole Miss will host Alabama State on Saturday, while UConn is set to return home for a matchup against Holy Cross on Tuesday.