Huskies hoping to make it further than last year

UCONN Huskies star Paige Bueckers starred again at the NCAA Tournament, leaving her coach to call her “the best player in America”.

Bueckers delivered a sparkling performance against Syracuse Orange at March Madness on Monday.

Bueckers in action for the Huskies on MondayCredit: Getty

Auriemma watched his team claim another fine victory on MondayCredit: Getty
She delivered 32 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block to help the 3-seed Huskies to a 72-64 victory over over 6-seed Syracuse in the second round.

A sold-out crowd at the Gampel Pavilion in Connecticut thrilled in a dramatic contest.

Victory for the Huskies meant an extension of its NCAA tournament-record streak of consecutive Sweet 16 appearances to 30.

Bueckers was the star of the show, and UConn coach Geno Auriemma wasn’t shy in dishing out the praise after the game.

“We have the best player in America,” Auriemma said.

“The stats will tell you one thing. But it’s when they happen and how they impact the game that’s so remarkable.

“I just think this team will go as far as she’s able to carry that kind of a load. As long as she keeps getting a little bit of contributions from everybody.

“You need people who can make winning plays at big moments, especially the last five minutes of the game.

“You need people that can make those plays, the shots that they have to make, the rebounds that they have to get, the loose balls they got to get, the stops they have to have.”

Syracuse deserve credit for a battling performance. They actually battled back to trail by just two points with a little under two minutes remaining.

But UConn held their nerve in the final seconds of a terrific contest.

Freshman KK Arnold rolled in a 3-pointer with 29 seconds remaining to effectively seal the deal, with UConn advancing further in a fascinating edition of March Madness.

“I prayed so hard a year ago today to be in my shoes where I’m at right now,” Buecker said after the win over Syracuse.

The consistency of Buecker is putting her in a league of her own right now.

This was her fifth straight game with at least 25 points, and the seventh in her last eight games.

Aaliyah Edwards and Bueckers celebrate after the win over SyracuseCredit: Getty
There was strong support for Buecker from freshman Ashlynn Shade, who added 19 points.

UConn will next play No.7 seed Duke Blue Devils on Saturday.

Duke saw off Ihio State 75-63 in their latest game of the tournament.

The Huskies were knocked out at the Sweet 16 stage last year.

But they will believe that they have the quality and experience to go much further this time round.