SPOKANE, Wash. – The second-seeded and third-ranked UConn women's basketball team (34-3) will take on No. 1 seed and No. 4-ranked USC (31-3) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in Spokane Arena at 9 p.m. ET on Monday. The game will air on ESPN, Westwood One and the UConn Sports Network from Learfield (FOX Sports 97-9).
This is the second straight season UConn will face top-seeded USC with a trip to the Final Four on the line. UConn beat USC, 80-73, in last season's Elite Eight in Portland.
Redshirt senior Paige Bueckers set a career high with 40 points to lead UConn past Oklahoma, 82-59, in the Sweet 16.
Bueckers shot 16-27 from the field. After not scoring in the second quarter, she went off for 29 points in the second half, including 19 points in the fourth. Bueckers is the first Husky in program history to score 40 points in an NCAA Tournament game.
Freshman Sarah Strong had her fifth double-double in six postseason games with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Ashlynn Shade was key off the bench, scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds and three steals.
The Huskies advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the 29th time in program history. UConn is 23-5 all-time in the Elite Eight.
UConn is 3-1 all-time vs. USC. The teams faced off in Hartford earlier this season, which USC won, 72-70.
USC beat No. 5 seed Kansas State, 67-61, in the Sweet 16. Kennedy Smith led the Trojans with 19 points. USC will be without its leader in points, assists, blocks and steals as JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the season with an injury. Kiki Iriafen is averaging 18.2 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb is in her fourth season at USC.
Players Mentioned
- G
- 6' 0"
- Redshirt Senior
- G
- 5' 10"
- Sophomore
- F
- 6' 2"
- Freshman
Players Mentioned
- 6' 0"
- Redshirt Senior
- G
- 5' 10"
- Sophomore
- G
- 6' 2"
- Freshman
- F
Latest Top News
- Sarah Strong Named 2025 WBCA Freshman of the YearUConn women's basketball forward Sarah Strong was named the 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Wednesday.
- UConn Takes Second at Golfweek / Stifel Spring ChallengePAWLEY'S ISLAND, S.C. – The UConn men's golf team had a pair of golfers in the top-10 on the way to a second place finish at the Golfweek/Stifel Spring Challenge at the True Blue Golf Club in Pawley's Island, S.C. on Wednesday.
- SASP Announces March Husky High Fives WinnersSTORRS, Conn. - The Student Athlete Success Program (SASP) announced the Husky High Five winners for the month of March 2025. The Husky High Five award recognizes UConn student-athletes that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, growth, and improvement in their commitment to succeeding in the classroom, their sport, and/or in the area of service and leadership. This award recognizes and honors students who have achieved success in these areas through hard work and dedication. When nominating for the Husky High Five, recipients are selected on the criteria of demonstrating significant achievement in their coursework despite various challenges and showing growth in the areas of academics, personal development, leadership, and service.
- WSOC Announces Class of 2029STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's soccer team has announced its incoming class of 2029 along with a pair of transfers for the upcoming 2025 season.
- UConn Football Announces Series with Miami UniversitySTORRS, Conn. – The UConn football program has entered into an agreement to play two future games against Miami University during the 2026 and 2030 seasons, announced on Wednesday. This will mark the first-ever match-ups between the two programs.
- Track & Field to Host Dog Fight Invite FridaySTORRS, Conn.- UConn track and field will host the first of three outdoor meets in Storrs on Friday, welcoming seven schools for the Dog Fight Invitational. The Huskies will recognize the contributions of thirty-six graduating seniors at the immediate conclusion of the meet.
