Key Takeaways:

• Paige Bueckers scored 12 points in her return from a knee sprain, leading No. 6 UConn to a 71-45 victory over St. John's.
• Despite missing two games, Bueckers showed resilience, hitting key shots to extend the lead.
• UConn maintained its undefeated streak in conference play, showcasing a strong performance after halftime.

NEW YORK (AP) — Paige Bueckers demonstrated her agility and skill after recovering from a left knee sprain, scoring 12 points to propel the No. 6 UConn women’s basketball team to a convincing 71-45 victory over St. John’s on Wednesday night. After sitting out victories against Xavier and Georgetown, Bueckers made a significant impact, contributing not only points but also five rebounds and two steals in just 23 minutes of play.

Bueckers started slow, hitting only 1 of 4 shots in the first half, but found her rhythm as UConn maintained a solid lead throughout the game. Coach Geno Auriemma acknowledged that Bueckers, who is now six points away from becoming UConn’s 12th 2,000-point scorer, faced some initial challenges after her layoff. "Whenever you take any time off, you’re always going to have a bit of a hiccup," Auriemma commented, noting her impressive return to form.

The game solidified UConn's place atop the Big East standings, as they improved their record to 16-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the conference. Bueckers' performance helped the team maintain a 15-point advantage at halftime, although the lead briefly shrank to 11 early in the third quarter. Thanks to Bueckers’ timely contributions, including three consecutive mid-range jumpers, UConn quickly regained control, extending their lead to 48-27.

St. John’s, struggling with their scoring defense, fell to 11-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Ber’Nyah Mayo led the Red Storm with 10 points, but UConn's potent offense proved too much, especially as they shot an impressive 56.9 percent from the field, including an effective 15 of 20 on layups.

Looking ahead, UConn is set to host Seton Hall on Sunday, where Bueckers will have another opportunity to reach the coveted milestone before the Huskies continue their quest for a successful season.

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