Paige Bueckers carries UConn to record 24th women's Final Four with 78-64 win over USC
Paige Bueckers carried UConn to its record 24th Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament, scoring 31 points Monday night in a 78-64 victory over Southern California, which couldn’t overcome the loss of injured star JuJu Watkins
ANNE M. PETERSON — AP Sports Writer | April 1, 2025
UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates scoring a basket during the first half against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Paige Bueckers carried UConn to its record 24th Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament, scoring 31 points Monday night in a 78-64 victory over Southern California, which couldn’t overcome the loss of injured star JuJu Watkins.
UConn (35-3) heads to Tampa, Florida, to face overall No. 1 seed UCLA on Friday.
Freshman Sarah Strong added 22 points and 17 rebounds for the second-seeded Huskies, who have won a record 11 NCAA titles, all under coach Geno Auriemma. Their most recent championship was in 2016, the last of a run of four straight.
Rayah Marshall scored 23 points for top-seeded USC (31-4) which also lost to UConn in the Elite Eight last year when Watkins was a freshman.
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UConn guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots during the first half against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
The UConn bench reacts after guard Paige Bueckers made a three-point shot during the first half against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen (20) drives around Southern California guard Talia von Oelhoffen (55) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma directs his team during the first half against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, March 31, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)