The University of Connecticut (UConn) women’s basketball team, under the guidance of head coach Geno Auriemma, has had a long-standing reputation for dominance in the sport. And the team’s recent performance in a game against the University of South Carolina is no exception–a fact that had Coach Auriemma beaming with pride.
The UConn Huskies took on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Monday, February 8th, and emerged victorious with a final score of 63-59. While this game wasn’t necessarily a blowout, it was impressive nonetheless–the Gamecocks are currently ranked 5th in the country, and the Huskies came into the match ranked 3rd.
Perhaps even more impressive was the fact that UConn was playing without one of their star players, junior guard Christyn Williams, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Despite this setback, the Huskies managed to put up a strong fight against a formidable opponent.
One of the reasons for UConn’s success in this game was the standout performance of freshman guard Paige Bueckers, who has been making waves in the NCAA this season. Bueckers put up 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, cementing her position as a key player for the Huskies.
As Coach Auriemma remarked after the game, “I’m really proud of [Bueckers], obviously, but I’m more proud of the fact that she’s doing it in a way that makes everybody else better. She makes everybody around her look good, she makes everything look easy, and that’s what great players do.”
But it wasn’t just Bueckers who played a critical role in securing this win for UConn. The team as a whole showed impressive resilience and determination, particularly in the fourth quarter, when they managed to overcome a 10-point deficit and rally for the win.
As Auriemma noted, “We could’ve packed it in and said, ‘Ah, they’re too good, we’re not going to win this game.’ But we found a way to win, and that’s the hallmark of great teams.”
It’s clear that this win was a significant milestone for the UConn women’s basketball team, and one that Coach Auriemma is understandably proud of. With the NCAA tournament looming on the horizon, this victory serves as a testament to the Huskies’ skill, resilience, and championship potential.