PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – Paige Bueckers scored 29 points, Azzi Fudd added 18 and No. 2 UConn defeated No. 18 Mississippi 73-60 in the final of the Baha Mar Women’s Championship on Wednesday night.
Bueckers had 15 points and Fudd 12 on combined 11-of-14 shooting in the second half as the Huskies regained control after nearly blowing a 21-point lead in the third quarter.
Sarah Strong added 10 points for the Huskies (7-0).
Bueckers scored seven points in a 15-1 run to put the Huskies up 17-3 as the Rebels started the game 1-for-13 from the field. At halftime it was 37-18.
The Rebels made a run early in the third quarter, pulling off 15 points to close the gap to 41-38, but Fudd answered with a 3-pointer and a jumper and buzzer-beater from Bueckers to put the Huskies up 52- 46 into the lead. the fourth quarter.
KK Deans had 17 points to lead the Rebels (4-2). Kennedy Todd-Williams added 13 points, Starr Jacobs had 11 and Madison Scott 10.
Takeaways
UConn had eight turnovers in the third quarter as the Rebels rushed to get back into the game, but once the Huskies righted the ship, they hit eight straight shots.
Ole Miss should be encouraged by the third quarter rally to make it a game after such a miserable first half.
Key moment
The Huskies were reeling as an 18-point lead was cut to three in less than 3 minutes, but Fudd stopped the Rebels run with a 3 and a jumper and UConn regained control.
Key statistics
UConn shot 51.6% (16 of 31) in the first half and Ole Miss shot 15.6% (5 of 32). Ole Miss improved to 47% in the second half, but UConn shot 68%.
Next
Ole Miss is at home against Alabama State on Saturday. UConn goes home to play Holy Cross on Tuesday.
