Sweet 16: Clutch threes from Bueckers down Iowa, UConn cruise into finals

First seed University of Connecticut Huskies defeated No. 5 seed Iowa Hawkeyes 92-72 on Saturday to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, aided by two clutch three-pointers from freshman Paige Bueckers, a game-high 25 points from Christyn Williams and a double-double from guard Evina Westbrook.  

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With the victory, UConn have now set up a match against the winner of No. 2 seed Baylor vs. No. 6 seed Michigan in the River Walk Region final on Sunday.

A three from Anna Makurat made it 85-70 UConn late in the fourth quarter. However, Iowa turned the difference down to nine at 7:39 and 6:58 remaining in the final frame, but both times Bueckers responded with the vital 3-pointer.

Bueckers finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Westbrook was good for 17 points, nine boards and 10 helpers.

Meanwhile, forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa had a game-high 11 rebounds and seven assists for the winners.

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For Iowa, Caitlin Clark led with 21 points while McKenna Warnock followed with 20 points.

Before the game even started, it was pegged as a clash against Clark and Bueckers.

While Clark had seven points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 shooting from three, Bueckers was a much more efficient 3-of-6 from the floor with six points.