When it comes to breaking records, Paige Bueckers is a flat-out obliterator. To say that she is a Trailblazer would be an understatement.
The UConn star went off for a career-high 40 points against Oklahoma. This was just a day after Bueckers officially declared for the WNBA Draft. She single-handedly dragged the Huskies into the Elite Eight. This historic performance carved her name alongside the legends of women’s college basketball.
Paige Bueckers Drops A Performance for the Ages
It’s one thing to put up big numbers. It’s another to do it when your team needs it most. With UConn trailing Oklahoma at halftime, Bueckers flipped the switch and took over. The Sooners had no answer. She outscored them by herself in the second half, dropping 29 points while Oklahoma managed just 23. The fourth quarter? A flat-out clinic—19 points on 8-of-9 shooting in just seven minutes.
Bueckers just etched her name in UConn history, becoming the first Husky to drop 40 in an NCAA tournament game. A legacy moment for “Paige Buckets.”
40 PIECE 😤
Paige Bueckers is the first UConn Husky to drop 40 PTS in the NCAA tournament 👏 #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/PhYEV0Yece
— ESPN (@espn) March 29, 2025
And let’s talk efficiency. Nearly 60% from the field. 6-of-8 from deep. Toss in six rebounds, three steals, and an assist for good measure. It was the kind of stat line that makes you double-check the box score just to be sure it actually happened.
By the time Bueckers checked out with just over three minutes left, UConn had flipped a tight game into a 29-point blowout. It was a masterclass, pure and simple.
UConn’s Basketball Icon Moving to WNBA
Bueckers made it official on Friday: she’s headed for the WNBA. The UConn guard told former Huskies legend Rebecca Lobo on ESPN that she’s declaring for the 2025 draft, where she’s all but locked in as the No. 1 pick.
This is nothing new for Bueckers. She arrived at UConn as one of the most hyped recruits in program history, and somehow, she’s still managed to exceed every expectation. She was the first freshman to ever win National Player of the Year. She’s been to the Final Four every season she’s played (outside of her ACL-injured year). And she’s been the face of women’s college basketball long before the hype around Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and USC’s JuJu Watkins
But this season? It’s hitting different. Because this time, it’s the last ride.
The countdown to her next chapter is officially on. And that’s why this tournament run means everything—not just to her, but to UConn fans who know these moments are numbered.
The Huskies now await the winner of Southern California vs. Kansas State in the regional final. If Bueckers keeps playing like this, it might not matter who they face. She’s on a mission, and history says betting against her is a losing game.