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UConn vs South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Live Score, Highlights, Watch

ByCoach

In a thrilling non-conference showdown, No. 6 UConn Huskies delivered a stunning blow to No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks with a commanding 87-58 victory. This game, held at Colonial Life Arena, marked a significant moment in the season.

The victory broke South Carolina’s impressive 71-game home win streak and showcased the prowess of UConn’s star players, Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. Let’s dive into the key highlights and takeaways from this monumental game.

UConn’s Dominance from the Start

The Huskies came out strong from the opening tip-off, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Despite South Carolina taking an early 11-9 lead, UConn quickly shifted the momentum with a 12-3 run to close out the first quarter.

This run was just the beginning of UConn’s offensive and defensive showcase.

First Quarter Highlights

During the first quarter, UConn’s defense was relentless, causing South Carolina to struggle offensively. The Gamecocks were held to just 14 points while UConn scored 21.

Key players like Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers began to find their rhythm, setting the stage for a dominant performance.

  • Azzi Fudd: Started strong, contributing significantly to the early lead.
  • Paige Bueckers: Opened the scoring with a pull-up 3-pointer in transition.

Azzi Fudd’s Stellar Performance

One of the standout performances of the game came from UConn’s senior guard, Azzi Fudd. Fudd was unstoppable, especially in the third quarter where she scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting.

Her hot streak included hitting five consecutive shots from the field, further extending UConn’s lead.

Third Quarter Domination

Fudd’s performance in the third quarter was a game-changer. She started the quarter by making each of her first five shots, including a 3-pointer on the fast break.

By the end of the quarter, she had a game-high 18 points, contributing to UConn’s 27-point lead.

  • Azzi Fudd: Finished the game with a stellar performance, including a game-high 18 points in the third quarter alone.
  • UConn’s Lead: Extended to 60-33 by the end of the third quarter.

Paige Bueckers’ Milestone Achievements

While Azzi Fudd dominated the scoring, Paige Bueckers quietly made history. With 12 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, Bueckers surpassed Rebeca Lobo on UConn’s all-time scoring list.

She also joined an elite group of players with at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists in their careers. This achievement places her alongside UConn legends Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.

Historical Significance

Bueckers’ milestone achievements highlight her importance to the UConn program. Her contributions in this game were crucial, even if her scoring was not as prolific as Fudd’s.

  • Milestone: Surpassed Rebeca Lobo on UConn’s all-time scoring list.
  • Elite Group: Joined Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi with 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists.

South Carolina’s Struggles

The Gamecocks, led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, faced significant challenges throughout the game. Edwards finished with 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting, but it was not enough to overcome UConn’s dominance.

South Carolina’s offense struggled to find consistency, and their defense could not contain UConn’s explosive scoring.

Key Factors in South Carolina’s Loss

Several factors contributed to South Carolina’s defeat, including turnovers and poor shooting percentages. The Gamecocks also missed key opportunities inside the paint and struggled to match UConn’s intensity.

  • Turnovers: South Carolina committed nine turnovers in the first half alone.
  • Shooting Percentages: Struggled with a 37% field goal percentage and 22% from beyond the arc.

Implications for the Season

This victory has significant implications for both teams as they head towards the NCAA Tournament.

For UConn, this win will likely propel them into the top 3 of the USA TODAY Coaches Poll and improve their seeding in the NCAA Tournament. For South Carolina, this loss ends an impressive home win streak and may impact their seeding as well.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will need to regroup and focus on their remaining games. UConn’s coach, Geno Auriemma, expressed confidence in his team’s potential, stating that he believes they will be a tremendous NCAA Tournament team.

Meanwhile, South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, will need to address the issues exposed in this game to ensure her team is ready for the challenges ahead.

  • UConn’s Next Steps: Likely to move into the top 3 of the Coaches Poll.
  • South Carolina’s Response: Need to address offensive and defensive struggles.

Conclusion

The UConn vs. South Carolina game was a showcase of top-tier women’s college basketball, with UConn emerging as the dominant force. Azzi Fudd’s incredible performance and Paige Bueckers’ milestone achievements were key highlights in this commanding victory.

As both teams look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, this game will serve as a crucial turning point in their seasons.

For a detailed recap of the game and further analysis, you can read the full article on USA TODAY.

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