Paige Bueckers put in a historic performance as she led UConn to the Elite Eight of March Madness.
The 23-year-old star, who has recently confirmed she will be entering the WNBA Draft this year, exploded for 29 second-half points despite going into the break 36-32 down to Oklahoma.
With that effort, Bueckers single-handedly outscored the Sooners in the final 20 minutes and finished with a career-high 40 points to lead the No. 2 seed Huskies to an 82-59 win.
Not only did she post a career best, but she also made history for her program and set a new record for the most points scored by a UConn player in an NCAA Tournament game.
Bueckers’ exceptional game included an impressive shooting display, where she went 16-of-27 from the field, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
She also contributed six rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and an assist.
In a particularly sensational stretch to start the fourth quarter, ‘Paige Buckets’ scored 19 straight points as the Huskies blew open the game, hitting 8 of 9 shots, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.
In that same span, the Sooners managed only five points, all on free throws.
“Paige was spectacular,” Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said after UConn’s spot in the Elite Eight was confirmed.
“That was as good a game as I’ve seen her play the whole time she’s been here, at the most important time.”
Of course, it was not only her coach that Bueckers impressed with her thrilling performance.
She was soon trending on social media, with fans left in no doubt about her WNBA future – and her draft stock.
“Paige Bueckers is the number 1 pick and it’s not even close,” one person wrote on X, responding to her historic Sweet 16 performance.
“A 40 piece in the sweet 16, okay No 1 draft pick,” another said.
“Paige Bueckers, you little record breaker. Paige Buckets for a reason, WNBA draft pick No.1 2025,” a third wrote.
The UConn guard, who has one year of college eligibility remaining, confirmed to ESPN last week that she will enter the draft.
There had been rumors that Bueckers did not want to play for the Dallas Wings, who have the first overall pick.
Questions were also raised over whether she would want to wait to join the WNBA until after a new collective bargaining agreement was agreed upon – but that will not be the case.
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This will be her final season before turning pro, and it could be one that ends in March Madness glory.
With the win against Oklahoma, UConn move on to make their 18th Elite Eight appearance in the past 19 seasons, and will face USC on Monday.
Their opponents, who are the No. 1 seed, beat Kansas State on Saturday without injured superstar JuJu Watkins.
How to watch March Madness in the UK
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March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions.
This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years.
talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service.
Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.
