NEW YORK — After sitting out two games due to a sprained left knee, Paige Bueckers showcased her skills without any visible signs of rust during UConn’s commanding 71-45 victory over St. John’s on Wednesday night.
“I’m feeling good,” Bueckers commented post-game. “I’m just glad to be back out there. It’s the first game back, so you want to get your feet wet and reacquaint yourself with the physicality and pace of the game.”
In her return, Bueckers contributed 12 points in 23 minutes of play. Although she struggled early on, shooting just 1 for 4 in the first half, UConn still maintained a 15-point advantage despite the team’s difficulty in finding shots for their All-American guard during that initial period.
“There’s always going to be a little rust after taking time off. In the beginning, she seemed to seamlessly get back into rhythm,” remarked Huskies coach Geno Auriemma. “But then you could see she began to drift, and her stamina wasn’t where it normally would be. She spent part of the first half trying to get adjusted and didn’t get enough shots because of that.”
After UConn’s lead momentarily dwindled to 11 early in the third quarter, Bueckers quickly found her stride with three consecutive mid-range jumpers within just over three minutes, extending the lead to 48-27. This performance secured her a spot on the bench for the remainder of the game.
“We made a few adjustments, and then she just took over,” Auriemma commented. “I have complete faith in what Paige can do on the court; I’ve witnessed it countless times. But I also recognize that she’s not a machine that you can just switch on.”
Having missed games against Xavier and Georgetown, Bueckers is gearing up for Sunday’s matchup against Seton Hall, needing only six points to become UConn’s 12th player to reach the 2,000-point milestone. She is on track to achieve this feat in 101 fewer games than former standout Maya Moore, effectively making her the fastest in UConn history to reach this score.
Bueckers sustained her knee injury during a game against Villanova on January 5, when Wildcats’ freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe fell onto her leg while pursuing a loose ball. Following the incident, Bueckers exited the game with 1:17 left in the third quarter and did not return.
Recognized as the national player of the year during her freshman year, Bueckers has faced challenges with injuries, limiting her to just 17 games over the next two seasons. Prior to her recent absence, she had been a key player for the last 54 games.
