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Paige Bueckers hit a career-high five blocks. Nika Mühl, a senior guard, contributed ten assists. Senior forward Aaliyah Edwards was unstoppable from both ends of the court, and graduate student Aubrey Griffin scored a season-high amount of points.

After suffering injuries to Azzi Fudd, Ayanna Patterson, and Caroline Ducharme, Saturday’s victory at last showed that UConn’s new roster knows how to play and win. For the first time this season, the victory also increases UConn’s winning streak to three games in a row.

Uconn’s dream trio

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The University of Connecticut Huskies and Louisville Cardinals engaged in a home game at the XL Center on Saturday. With guard Paige Bueckers leading them late in the game, the Huskies took a 6-3 lead over the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Ball State Cardinals. The Cardinals, on the other side, came into the XL Center with an incredible 10-1 record.

Plagued with injuries and consecutive losses, UConn started losing their charm in the 2023 NCAA season. But luckily, with the pairing up of Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards, and Aubrey Griffin, the Huskies set their third straight victory after a streak of defeats.

Despite starting four guards for the third straight game, the team’s inexperience didn’t factor against the Cardinals. Seniors for the Huskies grabbed command of the contest and maintained a lead throughout. With 25 points, Griffin topped all players. Aaliyah Edwards scored 22 with seven rebounds and three assists, while Bueckers scored 20 with five rebounds and four assists.

Mühl ended with a career-high eight turnovers while finishing with 10 assists, which was her 13th consecutive season with at least ten assists. With 24 assists on 32 completed baskets, the Huskies ended with a season-high 59.3 field goal percentage.

Bueckers dominated from every angle. Before jumping up and swatting away two blocks in the opening two minutes of the second quarter, she concluded the first ten minutes with six points, three assists, and two rebounds. The standout guard expressed her acceptance of her new position as a hybrid power forward in the Huskies starting lineup.

But Bueckers weren’t the only ones who helped UConn take off. Under the basket, Edwards was a formidable opponent who battled her way past every defender’s hold. Despite having her feet tangled in the defenders’ legs, the senior was just as tenacious on defense, plucking out a loose ball at halfcourt and staying upright to throw to KK Arnold for a layup. T

Read More: Making History, Paige Bueckers Feels “Surreal and Cool” Joining the “GOAT”

The Huskies led by as many as nine points during an 8-0 run early in the second quarter, while the Cardinals failed to score for over three-quarters of an hour. After hitting her first five shots from the floor, Griffin became the first player to score in double figures.

A not-so-favorable season for the Uconn

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Four important players have been sidelined for the Huskies this season: Azzi Fudd, Ayanna Patterson, Jana El Alfy, and Caroline Ducharme. In spite of a season marred by injuries, the Huskies persevered and ultimately emerged victorious because of exceptional performances by Bueckers, Edwards, and Griffin.

USA Today via Reuters

Bueckers may have missed her friend Fudd, but Griffin and Edwards combined for 67 points as a trio, so it’s safe to say they didn’t miss her either.

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Now that things are starting to go their way, the Huskies would be excited to go on an incredible run from here. They would be anticipating their upcoming game against the Butler Bulldogs. Huskies supporters are already itching for their team to perform with consistency in order to claim the national title.