The UConn Huskies experienced their first loss of the season against Notre Dame, who delivered an impressive performance despite significant injuries. Head coach Geno Auriemma praised Notre Dame’s resilience, with only seven active players contributing and three scoring double digits. Meanwhile, UConn relied heavily on Paige Bueckers, who scored 25 points, but lacked balanced contributions from the rest of the team. Auriemma emphasized the need for better support for Bueckers and acknowledged Notre Dame’s ability to maximize their limited roster effectively.
Paige Bueckers delivered a solid performance, scoring 25 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Auriemma emphasized, “We need a lot of contributions and Paige is gonna try and carry the team by herself when she thinks there aren’t a lot of those contributions. And that’s not good for her. And that’s not good for us.” Sarah Strong followed Paige Bueckers as UConn’s second-highest scorer, putting up 14 points—still a full 11 behind Bueckers. After Strong, only Kaitlyn Chen and KK Arnold managed to hit double figures.
Meanwhile, three UConn players were unable to register a single point. Even Ashlynn Shade, who started and played 21 minutes, couldn’t find the scoreboard. This performance clearly underscores Auriemma’s call for more support from the rest of the team. The pressure on Bueckers is undeniable, and it’s evident that greater contributions across the board are crucial to ease the burden. However, coach Auriemma might take a page from Notre Dame’s playbook, as he was full of praise for their ability to make the most of their roster.