UConn is heading to Cleveland for an epic showdown with Caitlin Clark and Iowa
By Isabel Gonzalez
& Jack Maloney
• 1 min read
The UConn Huskies are advancing to the 23rd Final Four in program history after a 80-73 win over No. 1 seed USC. The Huskies have officially made the final weekend in 15 of the last 16 years.
The one Final Four they did miss was last year's, when Paige Bueckers was out with a torn ACL. The redshirt junior guard is back competing at the highest level, and she led the Huskies on Monday night with 28 points -- her seventh consecutive 20+ point game. She also added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double.
"Today was one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever felt in my life," Bueckers said. "Just seeing where I was a year ago, today, doing individual workouts, starting to feel the basketball again, get the ball in my hands again and play. Now I'm here with my teammates and coaching staff going to the Final Four.
"It's been a very rewarding journey. I'm super, super grateful for it all. The tough times made me who I am. It's built my faith. It's built my appreciation for life and gratitude for anything that gets thrown my way."
But it wasn't just Bueckers' game. Every Huskies player who checked in scored and got at least one rebound, including Aaliyah Edwards, who put up 24 points.
This was a UConn team many were unsure about because it lost six potential contributors to season-ending injuries during the year. Coach Geno Auriemma has been using a seven-player rotation, and that seemed to be more than enough for the Huskies.
"There's something about when you reach this particular game and you win this particular game," Auriemma said. "It may even be more emotional than winning a national championship game sometimes 'cause you know how hard it was to get here."
The Trojans struggled with shooting most of the night, but JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes put on a show with 29 and 24 points, respectively, in the team's first Elite Eight appearance since 1994.
UConn will be taking Iowa on in the Final Four. The Hawkeyes defeated a tough LSU team behind an incredible 41-point performance by Caitlin Clark.
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(3) UConn 80, USC 73 | Final
Here is a crazy stat: the UConn Huskies are advancing to their 15th Final Four in the last 16 years. The one they missed was last year when Paige Bueckers sat out with a torn ACL, but on Monday she led her team with 28 points, while also adding 10 rebounds for the double-double. Aaliyah Edwards was also a top contributor with 24 points.
Despite the tiredness of only using a seven-player rotation and having to deal with foul trouble, the Huskies were able to get past one of the hottest teams in the nation. USC's effort was led by freshman star JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes with 29 and 24 points, respectively.
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UConn pulls away
The Huskies are in the middle of an 11-0 run in the last three minutes and now lead 76-64. There is just over a minute remaining in this game.
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Forbes ties the game
UConn calls a timeout shortly after McKenzie Forbes ties the game at 59-59 with a 3-pointer. That was her fourth 3-pointer of the night. Forbes and JuJu Watkins have combine for 42 of the Trojans' 59 points so far. There is still a lot of action left with 7:21 remaining in this game.
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(3) UConn 55, (1) USC 51 | End of Q3
It is only a four-point game despite USC's shooting struggles today. This period ended in an electric way as UConn redshirt freshman Ice Brady hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining. USC's Kayla Padilla responded with one of her own at the buzzer.
JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes combine for 34 of the Trojans' 51 points so far.
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Foul trouble could be an issue
UConn has momentum right now but keep an eye on foul trouble. The Huskies do a seven-player rotation and two of them, Nika Muhl and KK Arnold already have four fouls each with 2:30 left in the third quarter.
Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Ashlynn Shade have two each.
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UConn up by double digits
The Huskies found their largest lead of the game so far with a 50-40 advantage with 4:25 left in the third quarter. USC is struggling to make shots, going just 13-for-43 from the field.
Paige Bueckers leads all scorers with 17 points. The Huskies will have to be careful with foul trouble as both KK Arnold and Nika Muhl already have three personal fouls.
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Huskies start the second half withmomentum
UConn is outscoring USC 12-4 halfway through the third quarter. Paige Bueckers has 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. All seven of the Huskies who have checked in have scored at least two points.
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(1) USC 33, (3) UConn 33 | Halftime
Both teams had their runs in the first half, but nobody has been able to fully take control yet as the game has been tied four times already. Despite USC only shooting 32% from the field, the Trojans are still going toe-to-toe with UConn. They are good at getting on the free throw line and they are a perfect 8-for-8 from there. Meanwhile, UConn's KK Arnold will have to be careful in the third quarter as she already has three personal fouls.
The Huskies are led by Paige Bueckers 15 points and four assists. JuJu Watkins leads USC with 13 points.
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Not much to say about this one... UConn guard Paige Bueckers is shooting 50% and leads all scorers with 15 points.
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There are a lot of eyes on the women's Elite Eight today. NBA star Damian Lillard is locked in and posting about USC star JuJu Watkins.
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UConn leads 24-19 after a smooth 3-pointer by freshman guard Qadence Samuels with 6:12 left in the second quarter. The Huskies are on an 8-0 run and USC calls a timeout. The Trojans are struggling against the UConn defense, currently shooting just 29% from the field.
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