UConn women’s basketball handles Butler, 97-68

UConn women’s basketball just missed the century mark en route to a 97-68 victory over Butler in their final road game of the regular season.

Paige Bueckers recorded her second double-double of the season, with 20 points and 14 assists. Bueckers 14 dimes set a new single-game record for assists for UConn, surpassing Renee Montgomery’s previous record of 13 assists.

Despite being only 20 games into her UConn career, Bueckers also broke the program record for assists in a freshman season. Following today’s game she has 130 assists, already seven above the previous record of 123 (held by Pam Webber and Montgomery) with plenty of basketball to play.

While it was another fantastic game from Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards led the way for UConn with 24 points on 9-10 shooting from the field and 6-6 shooting from the free throw line. Edwards also added 14 rebounds. Eight of those boards were offensive, helping UConn to 27 second chance points. Edwards also added three blocks.

Behind the phenomenal games from the freshmen, UConn’s three juniors also put on solid performances. Evina Westbrook scored in double figures for the first time in four games, adding 16 points for the Huskies. Christyn Williams tallied 15 points while also adding six rebounds, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa was one rebound short of a double-double.

Butler started out hot from three, going 4-5 to start the game and finishing the first quarter with five makes from deep. UConn also shot the ball well in the first, but early turnovers had the offense lacking rhythm. Bueckers and Williams got going as the the quarter wound down, giving UConn a five point advantage at the break.

The Bulldogs continued their hot shooting from deep into the second quarter, while turnovers and the Bulldog’s zone defense continued to plague the Huskies. UConn was finally able to create some separation down the final stretch of the half, taking a 14-point lead into the locker room.

Bueckers led the way at the half with 13 points, including three triples, and nine assists. Evina Westbrook also added 12 first-half points on perfect 5-5 shooting from the floor.

The Huskies extended their lead to 23 by the end of the third behind nine points from Edwards on perfect shooting from the floor and the line. They built on that further in the final 10 minutes thanks to another eight points from Edwards.

While UConn looked good offensively, putting up 97 points and shooting over 50 percent from the floor, the defense against Butler left something to be desired. The Bulldogs’ 68 points were the most allowed by the Huskies in Big East play this season and the second most allowed this season. UConn’s perimeter defense was particularly lacking in the first half, allowing Butler to hit 10-21 shots from deep. The second half improvement was evident, as the Bulldogs shot just 28 percent in the final 20 minutes.

The Huskies have just one regular season game remaining as they head home to face Marquette on Monday evening. Tip off is set for 8:00 p.m. and CBS Sports Network will broadcast the game.