Paige Bueckers Drops 18 Points While Fudd Sets a Season‑High 12 in UConn Women’s Victory

When the final buzzer sounded at Gampel Pavilion, the scoreboard read a tidy 78‑61 victory for the UConn Huskies. It wasn’t just the margin that felt satisfying; it was the way the team clicked, especially in the second half.

Paige Bueckers, the perennial All‑American, was, as always, the engine of the offense. She poured in 18 points, mixing a silky‑smooth three‑pointer with a series of mid‑range jumpers that seemed to find the net on a whisper. “I just try to stay aggressive and make the right reads,” she said with a modest smile during post‑game questions.

But the headline for many fans was freshman forward Emily Fudd, who finally cracked her season‑high with 12 points. Those 12 came at a crucial juncture, when the opposition tried to mount a comeback. Fudd’s hustle in the paint—two offensive rebounds, a neat put‑back, and a clean dunk—sparked a surge that turned the tide for good.

Beyond the stars, the whole roster contributed. Senior guard Maya Washington dished out six assists, while sophomore guard Nia Murray chipped in nine rebounds. The bench offered 15 points, a solid reminder that depth is still a strength for the Huskies.

The opposition, the visiting Texas Longhorns, fought valiantly early on, opening a ten‑point lead in the first quarter. Yet UConn’s defensive adjustments—tightening perimeter pressure and rotating the box‑out drills—slowly choked the Longhorns’ rhythm. By halftime, the Huskies had erased the deficit and taken a modest lead.

Coach Geno Auriemma praised his team’s resilience. “We stuck to the game plan, we trusted each other, and those guys responded when we needed them,” he noted, gesturing toward the bench where Fudd’s teammates clapped her on the back.

Looking ahead, UConn will travel to face No. 3 Villanova next week. If the performance in today’s game is any indication, the Huskies appear ready to keep their winning streak alive and perhaps push deeper into March.