The rivalry between the UConn Huskies and the University of Southern California Trojans was renewed on Monday in Spokane, Wash. However, unlike in December when the Trojans came up on top in the XL Center, the Huskies came on top in Spokane Arena.
For the 16th time out of the last 17 years, the Huskies punched their ticket to the Final Four after a 78-64 win over the Trojans.
It was a career night for both redshirt senior Paige Bueckers and freshman Sarah Strong, who all throughout this season have been quite the dynamic duo for the Huskies.
Bueckers finished the night, reaching the third spot in the Huskies all-time scoring list with 31 points and six assists and also earned the Spokane Four Regional most valuable player.
Strong reached her career high in rebounds with 17 and racked up a total of 22 points and four assists and made the Spokane Four Regional All-Region team.
“There’s a way that you win these games, and generally speaking, they are, you know, on the backs of one or two particular players that are going to put the team on their backs and get us to the next level, to get us to The Final Four.” said Auriemma postgame to the media, “Obviously, Sarah and Paige both did that tonight in their own way, and couldn’t ask any more of them. They both played 40 minutes, and they both played their hearts out.”
Auriemma then elaborated to the media, saying that in addition to the two players he mentioned, another individual has to step up, and that player for the Huskies was graduate student Kaitlyn Chen.
“I thought Kaitlyn was fantastic tonight, probably more than anything. You know, I’m really proud of her because she left, you know, college took a chance.” said Auriemma.
Chen, a transfer out of Princeton, attained a total of 15 points and two assists.
“It’s been an incredible experience so far. Honestly, I never thought I would make it to a Final Four, but here I am, but that solid, all the credit goes to my coaches and my teammates.” said Chen to the media, when asked about what this experience has meant to her.
With the offensive consistency shown by Bueckers, Strong and Chen, it aided their team to lift the NCAA trophy.
However, at the beginning of the game, the Huskies struggled to get themselves in the game, leaving USC’s forward Kiki Iriafen open to give the Trojans a steady lead.
Although, with persistent defense in the paint from Strong, the Huskies started to gain momentum and work their way up.
At the mid-way point of the first frame, the Huskies forced a scoring drought from the Trojans and five turnovers over just three minutes.
At the end of the first frame, the Huskies were up 14-11 and Strong was up to 10 points and four rebounds.
Connecticut and Strong kept their composure in the second quarter, this time head coach Geno Auriemma utilized Strong at the five, with his small ball lineup out on the court.
There proved to be a method to his madness, as Strong just kept getting the ball in the basket.
Despite a brief field-goaling scoring drought, with back-to-back jumpers from Kaitlyn Chen and back-to-back three pointers from Bueckers, the Huskies headed into intermission on top with the score 39-25.
In addition, the Huskies were finished the frame shooting an accuracy percentage of 56.3% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
At this point, the Huskies had forced four turnovers on the Trojans and kept Iriafen to zero points.
Coming out of the lockeroom into the second half, the Huskies struggled a bit, which prompted the Trojans to regain a steady lead.
After the end of the third quarter, USC was within five points of the Huskies, finishing on an 11-0 run and the score 51-46.
However, the Huskies remained locked and loaded to kick off the first quarter, with Aubrey Griffin checking in.
Despite a slow start to the game, red shirt senior Azzi Fudd drilled back-to-back threes to aid the Huskies in solidifying the win and getting their revenge against the Trojans.
All in all, the game was a team effort, and after years and years of perseverance, this win feels very special.
“I mean I feel like this team, like individually and collectively, we’ve been through a lot these past four years.” said Fudd, “I know how it feels to be on the outside, so to have this many people available and to get to be a part of it is just incredible.”
Next up, the Huskies will travel to Tampa, Fla. to take part in their second consecutive final four appearance. They will take on the No. 1 seeded UCLA Bruins in Amalie Arena on Friday, April 4, with a tip-off time of either 7 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. EST; the time is still to be announced.