CONNED: Duke women’s basketball never leads, bows out of NCAA tournament with loss to…..

UConn secures an 8-point victory over Duke in the Sweet 16, solidifying their status as one of the top contenders for the championship. They will now face USC in the Elite 8. The game, which took place at the Moda Center, showcased an intriguing clash between UConn’s strong defense and Duke’s potent offense, ultimately earning UConn a spot in the next round of the tournament.

In the Big East Conference, UConn boasts an impressive record of 32 wins and 5 losses, securing the top spot in the conference. Their ultimate goal this season is to claim the championship, led by standout player Paige Bueckers. In previous rounds, they defeated Jackson State by 22 points and Syracuse by 8 points to advance to the Sweet 16.

Duke, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), finished seventh in their conference with 22 wins and 12 losses. Despite their efforts to upset UConn and progress further in the tournament, they fell short, losing to UConn after victories against Richmond and Ohio State in earlier rounds.

The game started evenly, with both teams showcasing strong defense, leading to a low-scoring first quarter. However, UConn managed to take a 4-point lead by the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, UConn surged ahead, building a 13-point lead before halftime.

After the break, UConn continued their dominance, particularly with Paige Bueckers leading the charge. By the third quarter, Bueckers had matched the entire Duke team’s points, securing a comfortable lead for UConn. Despite Duke’s efforts to close the gap in the fourth quarter, UConn maintained control and secured the win with a final score of 53-45.

Looking ahead, UConn will face USC in the Elite 8, scheduled for April 1 at the Moda Center. Paige Bueckers stood out with an impressive performance, scoring 24 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds in 40 minutes of play. Similarly, Oluchi Okananwa contributed significantly off the bench with 15 points and 6 rebounds.