NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Paige Bueckers scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting and No. 2 UConn never trailed as the Huskies defeated Oregon State 71-52 at the Baha Mar Women’s Championship.
Sarah Strong, the 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year, had 13 points, eight rebounds, six steals and two blocks for UConn (5-0). Jana El Alfy had 12 points.
Allie Ziebell scored seven of UConn’s 20 points in the second quarter and the Huskies took a 42-19 lead into halftime.
AJ Marotte led the Beavers (1-5) with 17 points and Kelsey Rees scored 10.
Takeaways
Oregon State: The Beavers need a key win. They have lost three straight games and are winless against Division I opponents this season. The Beavers’ only win was an 80-52 victory over Division-II Northwest Nazarene in their home opener.
UConn: The Huskies have too much talent for most teams. They are all-time 3-0 against the Beavers, with each match taking place at a neutral site. The first meeting between the programs was exactly 29 years ago, on November 25, 1995.
Key moment
Bueckers, the reigning Big East Player of the Week, hit a jumper to open the scoring and added three 3-pointers as she scored 11 first-quarter points on 5-of-5 shooting to lift the Huskies to a 22 lead -7 jumps. in the second.
Key stat
Both teams shot 44% overall, but the Huskies attempted 19 more field goals than Oregon State. UConn had 11 steals, forced 24 OSU turnovers and had a 12-4 edge on the offensive glass. Connecticut outscored the Beavers 24-17 in points off turnovers and 12-2 in second-chance points.
Next
Oregon State: will face Boston College in the third-place match.
UConn: Plays No. 18 Mississippi in the title game.
