The UConn Huskies ended their season with authority, delivering a performance as commanding as a buzzer-beater slam dunk. As the new year approaches and the postseason looms, they’ve sent a clear message to their rivals: they’re ready to dominate. Leading this charge is none other than Paige Bueckers, who looks poised to blaze a warpath through the Big East.

In the post-game press conference, Paige Bueckers reflected on her competitive nature, “I played every single sport growing up at recess, always tried to be the first pick when teams were picking. I tried to win every single board game,” Bueckers said. “And really, It’s just like… you hate losing more than you love winning, but I love winning and I hate losing, so it’s like equal.”

This mindset was palpable as the Huskies who are currently ranked 7th on the week 08 of AP Top 25 Womens College Basketball Poll, bounced back from their first home loss of the season. UConn forced 31 turnovers, had 17 steals, and held Providence to just seven field goals in the first half—a defensive masterclass that showcased their championship aspirations. Bueckers’ relentless drive, coupled with the team’s depth, left no doubt about their dominance.

Bueckers didn’t just play the game—she owned it. Scoring 19 of her 23 points in the first half, she orchestrated UConn’s commanding 67-41 win with the finesse of a seasoned maestro. Her eight-point contribution during a critical 15-0 run in the first quarter was the spark that lit the Huskies’ fire.

The numbers told the story as much as the plays did. UConn had 40 points off turnovers when compared to  Providence’s 11. The Huskies’ defense was suffocating, it held the Friars to a mere 32.5% field-goal shooting while outpacing them in nearly every key statistic. Even Azzi Fudd, who just recently came back after an injury, contributed eight points in her third start of the season, further underscoring UConn’s depth.

It wasn’t just a game—it was a statement. UConn’s relentless pace and unyielding defense left Providence searching for answers that never came.

Uconn dominates as Bueckers sends a bold warning to the Big East

In fact, the Friars, by contrast, were left scrambling. Grace Efosa’s 11 points and Providence’s 13-for-40 shooting night underscored the gulf between the two teams. Providence, now 0-2 in the Big East, suffered its 37th consecutive loss to UConn, a streak that stretches back to 1993. While their offensive rebounds slightly outpaced UConn’s (8 to 9), the Huskies’ 26 points in the paint highlighted their ability to capitalize on second chances.

For Bueckers, the game was more than a win; it was a statement. “I think it’s just sort of like definitely in my nature of wanting to be the best, wanting to win and doing everything that I can to control that,  wanting to win and doing everything I can to control that,” she explained. “To be my best, to try to continue to keep getting better and never get complacent with where I’m at. So it’s definitely a mindset and something that I think I was sort of born with.”

The Huskies’ resilience has been a hallmark of their program, and this game was living proof on how they can bounce back from losses. UConn’s 52-game streak of avoiding back-to-back losses in the regular season remains intact, a testament to their ability to respond under pressure. The last time UConn lost three straight regular-season games was 1993—a streak that serves as a reminder of the program’s legacy and the high expectations it shoulders every season.

As the Huskies prepare to face Marquette next, the message is clear: complacency is not in their DNA. Bueckers’ dominant performance and defiant mindset should serve as a warning for the rest of the Big East. UConn isn’t just playing to win—they’re playing to lead, and they’re ready to remind everyone why they’re perennial contenders. The countdown to March has begun, and Paige Bueckers has her eyes firmly on the prize.