Paige Bueckers helped off court in UConn win over Notre Dame

No. 2 UConn held off No. 24 Notre Dame for a convincing 73-54 win at home on Sunday, but it may have come at a cost.

Huskies alumni Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Stefanie Dolson, Asjha Jones, Rebecca Lobo and Jennifer Rizzotti were in attendance to cheer on their alma mater in the program’s first game in Gampel Pavilion in over a year.

UConn’s victory was dampened, however, with star Paige Bueckers leaving the game in the final minute of play, having to be helped off the floor after an apparent injury to her leg.

Bueckers led the Huskies with 22 points, five steals, four assists and four rebounds.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 14 points and 13 rebounds for UConn in her first double-double of the season, helping the Huskies to a 35-25 lead at halftime. Caroline Ducharme was also critical for UConn down the stretch with 14 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.

The Huskies’ dominant fourth quarter helped the team jump to their largest lead of the contest at 17 and then 19 points after struggling with 21 turnovers throughout the game. Despite having trouble taking care of the basketball, UConn out-rebounded the Fighting Irish 44-to-32 and outshot Notre Dame 45.9 percent to 31 percent.

Sunday’s victory improves UConn to a 5-1 record on the season, with their only loss coming against No. 1 South Carolina.