Bueckers scores 27 points and shorthanded UConn beats Marquette 58-29 in the Big East semifinals
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead No. 9 UConn to a 58-29 win over Marquette on Sunday in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
Ice Brady, making just her second start, added 10 points for the shorthanded Huskies (28-5) who had just seven available players after losing star center Aaliyah Edwards to a facial injury after she was struck in the nose in the win over Providence on Saturday.
Injuries had already put five other players out for the season. It’s not clear when Edwards might return.
Liza Karlen had 12 points and nine rebounds to lead Marquette (23-8), which made just 12 baskets on 54 shots (22%) and scored its last points with 4:49 left in the third quarter.
UConn never trailed.
Bueckers took Edwards’ place for the opening tip, won it, flexed toward the bench and then hit a layup.
The Huskies opened the game on a 9-0 run, holding Marquette without a point for the first six minutes of the game. The Golden Eagles missed their first 11 shots.
The Huskies led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter and 31-20 at the break.
UConn extended that in the third period and a long 3-pointer from Bueckers as the quarter expired gave the Huskies a 47-29 lead and firm control of the game.
The Big East player of the year finished 11 of 16 from the floor. She also had four assists, four blocked shots and three steals. She left the game with three minutes left to a standing ovation.
BIG PICTURE
Marquette: This was the fourth straight season UConn has eliminated Marquette from the tournament. UConn also won this season’s previous two meetings, 94-64 in Hartford on New Years eve and 85-59 on Jan. 23 in Milwaukee.
UConn: The Huskies last lost a conference tournament game in 2013, when Notre Dame beat them for the Big East title. UConn has won all three titles since rejoining the Big East in 2020-21 after taking seven straight during their run in the American Athletic Conference
UP NEXT
The Huskies will play Monday night in the Big East title game against either No. 21 Creighton or Georgetown.
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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball