The matchup between No. 4 UConn and No. 7 USC was as highly anticipated as a college basketball game played in December can be, with 15,684 packing the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Superstar players were on each side, with none bigger than USC’s JuJu Watkins and UConn’s Paige Bueckers.
The two put on a show, but with the result hanging in the balance, it was Watkins who hit clutch free throws down the stretch, while UConn’s Sarah Strong missed two free throws and was way off on a desperation 3-pointer as the Huskies attempt to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
USC got some revenge for their Elite Eight loss to UConn with the 72-70 victory on Saturday night.
Both sides saw some incredible performances from their key players. Watkins, the sophomore superstar, continues to strengthen her case as the best player in college basketball by scoring 25 points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing out five assists and blocking three shots in the win. Senior forward Kiki Iriafen added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds; she also had six assists.
For UConn, Bueckers did everything she could to protect home court. The redshirt senior guard scored 22 points, but struggled to score efficiently, going 9-for-22 from the field. The freshman Strong had a generally good game,…
