Despite Paige Bueckers’ Dominance, UConn Find Themselves On The Wrong Side Of History

Paige Bueckers’ exceptional comeback isn’t creating a win-win situation for her college franchise. UConn is suffering this season. And the disappointment continued in the Cayman Classics as Paige’s pack was crushed by UCLA in a humiliating loss. Bueckers’ squad closed the first half with a three-pointer, but they were outscored, outrebounded and outplayed by their opponents. The loss further damaged UConn’s reputation.

The UCLA Bruins (5-0) were determined to defeat the UConn Huskies for the first time since 1998, having lost seven times in a row. They started the game with a 10-0 run and gained a 19-point lead in the first quarter, thanks to their barrage of 3-pointers.

Paige Bueckers’ performance in vain

UCLA basketball defeated UConn basketball on Friday night, with a score of 78-67. Despite Paige Bueckers’ remarkable performance, the Huskies suffered their second defeat of the year at the Cayman Islands Classic.

In the absence of Caroline Ducharme and Azzi Fudd from the starting lineup, Bueckers was the lead scorer, contributing to almost half of her team’s total for the game with 31 points against the Bruins. However, UConn suffered its second double-digit defeat of the year, which is more than any of its first five games since the 1991–92 schedule.

The Huskies put on a ferocious pace in the second quarter, trimming the margin to five points after UCLA had taken a 20-point lead over them. But in the third quarter, the Bruins took back the lead and defeated the Huskies at John Gray Gymnasium.

Read More: Before and After the Injury – Paige Bueckers’ Tale of Resilience and Triumph 

The game saw Kiki Rice of UCLA and Paige Bueckers of UConn, the 2021 National Player of the Year, squaring off with a total of 55 points. Rice shot 60% and ended with 24 points, while the Bueckers ended with 31 goals, including 18 in the first half.

The only Star shining at the moment

Bueckers, 22, participated in just 17 games as a sophomore after undergoing surgery in December 2021 to repair a meniscus tear and tibial plateau fracture after missing the whole previous season due to an ACL rupture.

Paige had to deal with harsh criticism about her performance before the season began, but she is defying the odds by unleashing her scoring rampage. But the criticism seemed strange to her fandom, given that she had been out for six months recovering from an injury.

Watch This Story: How Does Azzi Fudd’s Injury Compare With UConn Kingpin Paige Bueckers?

After making a comeback, UConn’s best best is now casting a one-man show for her team. It may not be enough to change her team prospects, but it certainly is boosting her star value.