HARTFORD, Conn. — Paige Bueckers showcased a stellar performance by scoring 19 out of her 23 points in the first half, leading the seventh-ranked UConn Huskies to a decisive 67-41 victory against Providence on Sunday. This match came as a rebound effort following UConn’s first home loss of the season.
Joining Bueckers in the scoring effort, Sarah Strong contributed 14 points for UConn, who demonstrated a formidable defensive strategy by forcing 31 turnovers and achieving 15 steals throughout the contest. Providence’s Grace Efosa managed to score 11 points, but her team’s efforts were not enough.
Azzi Fudd made her third start of the season, returning after having played only eight minutes in a previous loss against Southern California due to a knee injury; she recorded eight points in 24 minutes. In a notable moment, redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy also made her first start of the season.
Analyzing the match, it is important to note that Providence faced UConn for the 37th time and has been outmatched in their last seven encounters, all of which UConn won by a margin of at least 10 points. The Friars’ last victory against the Huskies dates back to 1993.
UConn, meanwhile, has displayed resilience by winning their last 52 regular-season games following a loss. The last unfortunate stretch for the Huskies involving three consecutive losses in regular-season play occurred back in 1993, during which they were defeated by Stanford, Pittsburgh, and Georgetown.
A pivotal moment during the game was when Bueckers scored eight points in a decisive 15-0 run that allowed UConn to seize control early on. The Huskies established a double-digit lead with 6:36 remaining in the first quarter and maintained a minimum lead of 10 points from there onward.
In terms of key statistics, UConn outperformed Providence notably in the first half, recording more steals (10) than Providence had made baskets (7). UConn capitalized on defense, scoring 24 points off 18 turnovers committed by Providence in the initial half.
Looking ahead, Providence will host St. John’s on Wednesday, while UConn is set to visit Marquette on the same day.
