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GREENSBORO, N.C. — In a recent matchup, Paige Bueckers delivered an impressive performance, scoring 29 points to lead No. 2 ranked UConn to a 69-58 victory over No. 14 North Carolina on Friday night. This win marked a significant milestone for coach Geno Auriemma, who now ties the record for the most career wins in Division I basketball—both men’s and women’s.

At the age of 70, Auriemma celebrated his 1,216th victory during his 40th season with the Huskies, leveling his career achievements with that of the renowned former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. Alongside Bueckers, freshman Sarah Strong contributed notably with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.

Indya Nivar stood out for the Tar Heels, leading her team with 15 points and nine rebounds. However, North Carolina struggled offensively, managing just 36% shooting and hitting only 7 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc.

For UConn, Bueckers was a dominant force, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone. Her finale was a challenging three-pointer made just as the quarter concluded. The preseason All-American impressed with 12 out of 21 shots made, including four from long range, along with four rebounds and four assists.

North Carolina has found itself repeatedly on the losing end against UConn, having lost the last seven encounters since their last victory in January 2007.

A key moment in the game involved the Tar Heels, who managed to narrow a substantial 21-point deficit down to 61-52 with a layup from Nivar with just over seven minutes left. Yet, they then faced a series of missed possessions, allowing UConn to extend their lead with a put-back from Jana El Alfy, followed by a layup from Bueckers, re-establishing a 13-point gap with only 3:16 remaining on the clock.

Despite entering the game with promising experience from fifth-year seniors Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby, both players encountered significant difficulties on the offensive end. Donarski, averaging 15.0 points per game, managed only five points on three attempts, while Ustby could only record three points with a dismal 1-for-9 shooting performance.

Looking ahead, the Huskies will be back on home court to take on Fairleigh Dickinson next Friday. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are set to travel to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they will face Ball State on November 23.

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