Paige Bueckers’ unparalleled prowess propelled UConn towards an electrifying 80-73 triumph over the paramount-seeded USC, ushering them into the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Within the Elite Eight confrontation at Portland’s Moda Center, Bueckers’ 28 tallies were pivotal for the Huskies, denoting their 23rd foray into the Final Four and their triennial in the preceding quadrennial, preserving their sequence of not succumbing in a regional finale since 2007.
The triumph establishes a thrilling confrontation against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa squad, subsequent to their triumph over LSU to annex their third Final Four berth. This confrontation is appointed for Friday evening in Cleveland. Concurrently, the women’s Final Four will be consummated with South Carolina engaging NC State, accentuating an unparalleled season wherein both the men’s and women’s squads from UConn and NC State have attained the Final Four, a premiere in NCAA tournament annals.
Watkins Sets Freshman Record in Fierce Battle with UConn
In an fervent inaugural moiety on Monday eve, USC and UConn were enmeshed in a stringent skirmish. Initially, USC procured an early vanguard with a 15-6 swell, but necessitated a tardy 6-0 spurt to equilibrate the fray at 33-33 by intermission. JuJu Watkins glimmered, tallying 13 of her aggregate 29 tallies in the initial half and establishing an NCAA record for the utmost tallies scored by a neophyte in Division I annals, accruing 899 points. Her paramount moment ensued with a pivotal three-pointer over Bueckers, diminutizing the margin to merely a scant points and eclipsing Tina Hutchinson’s enduring record from the 1983-84 season.
UConn, nonetheless, recaptured impetus post-intermission, commencing with an octet to nil surge and amplifying their advantage to a decuple of points, denoting the paramount lead of the match at that juncture. Despite USC’s tribulations, they orchestrated a substantial revival in the twilight of the third stanza, diminishing UConn’s supremacy to a mere quartet of points by the cessation of the quarter, priming the scenario for an exhilarating denouement.
As the fourth quarter began, Forbes landed an unguarded three-pointer, evening the score. However, Bueckers quickly became the focal point, scoring five consecutive points with a skillful post maneuver and a challenged three from the key, propelling the Huskies into the lead. Despite a stretch where they missed seven consecutive free throws, UConn maintained their advantage to secure a seven-point victory and advance to the Final Four.
Dynamic Duos Shine as UConn and USC Advance
Watkins orchestrated an unparalleled exhibition for USC, amassing 29 tallies alongside 10 retrieves, whilst Forbes augmented with 24 tallies, inclusive of quintet 3-point launches. Collectively, they embodied 53 of USC’s aggregate 73 tallies. USC’s pivot, Rayah Marshall, likewise manifested a distinguished match with 11 tallies and 11 retrieves. On the UConn front, Bueckers spearheaded with 28 tallies, 10 retrieves, and sextet assists, perpetuating her sequence of amassing at least 20 tallies in seven sequential contests. Edwards buttressed with 24 tallies and six retrieves, with a marksmanship of 7-of-13 from the terrain. The forthcoming contests envisage UConn colliding with Iowa and South Carolina engaging against NC State at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday eve.
