HARTFORD, Conn. — In a decisive display of talent, Paige Bueckers led the No. 2 UConn team with 24 points, while Sarah Strong contributed significantly with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, helping the Huskies to a commanding 79-44 victory over Georgetown in their Big East season opener on Sunday.
After experiencing a setback with a 79-68 defeat against Notre Dame, UConn bounced back strongly. The team showcased their resilience by executing a nine-point scoring run in the second quarter and a 14-point spree in the third quarter, maintaining their perfect home record this season.
Ashlynn Shade added another nine points for UConn (9-1), who only found themselves behind for a brief 13 seconds early in the match. On the other side, Kelsey Ransom, the leading scorer in the Big East, struggled throughout the game, finishing the first half with merely two points from 0-of-4 shooting. Ransom, who holds an average of 21.1 points per game, ended with seven points from 2-of-9 shooting and had a troubling nine turnovers. Unfortunately, her day ended abruptly in the fourth quarter after she fell awkwardly. For Georgetown (6-5), Ariel Jenkins stepped up with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Jaeda Wilson scored 10 points in her first start of the season.
Observations:
Georgetown: This match marked the 39th consecutive loss for the Hoyas against UConn, with their last victory over the Huskies dating back to February 27, 1993.
UConn: The Huskies exhibited dominance by outscoring Georgetown 47-16 during the second and third quarters, emphasizing their control over the game.
Defining Moments:
Despite a rocky start where UConn hit only four of their first 13 shots, the team found their rhythm by making six consecutive baskets towards the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second. They intensified their lead by scoring the first nine points of the second half, bringing the score to 26-13.
Notable Stats:
UConn capitalized on Georgetown’s mistakes, scoring 25 points off 19 turnovers committed by the Hoyas. In contrast, Georgetown managed only two points from nine turnovers incurred by UConn.
Looking Ahead:
Georgetown is set to take on Maryland-Eastern Shore in their final non-conference matchup of the regular season on December 28. Meanwhile, UConn will face off against No. 18 Iowa State on Tuesday at Mohegan Arena during the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.