Bueckers scores career-high 40 to lead UConn

NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP

UConn’s Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates with teammates in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma in a Sweet 16 matchup of the NCAA Women’s Tournament at Spokane Arena on Saturday in Spokane, Wash. STEPH CHAMBERS — GETTY IMAGES

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SPOKANE, Wash. >> Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 40 points, rescuing UConn from its first-half doldrums and single-handedly turning a tight game against Oklahoma into an 82-59 rout on Saturday that sent the Huskies to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Bueckers had 29 points after halftime for the Huskies, who trailed 36-33 at the break. The likely No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft eclipsed her previous career best of 34 points, set Monday in UConn’s second-round victory over South Dakota State, her final home final game at Gampel Pavilion.

The electrifying senior guard matched her career high with six 3-pointers before checking out of the game with 3:06 left and UConn ahead 80-51.

The second-seeded Huskies (34-3), winners of 13 straight, will face USC in a regional final on Monday.

Ashlyn Shade added 12 points and Sarah Strong had 11 points and 11 rebounds for UConn, which is seeking to extend its record by winning a 12th national title.

Payton Verhulst scored 16 points for third-seeded Oklahoma (27-8), which was playing its first Sweet 16 game since 2013.

Birmingham Regional 3

Texas 67, Tennessee 59 >> Madison Booker scored 17 points and the No. 1-seeded Longhorns outlasted the fifth-seeded Volunteers in a tight battle in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Taylor Jones added 12 points and eight rebounds for Texas in the Birmingham Regional 3. The Longhorns advanced to face TCU in the Elite Eight.

Booker scored seven in the fourth, including four straight with the game tied at 54 with five minutes left.

TCU 71, Notre Dame 62 >> Hailey Van Lith scored 12 of her 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the second-seeded Horned Frogs beat the No. 3-seeded Fighting Irish in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Sedona Prince added 21 points for TCU (34-3) in the Birmingham Regional 3. The Horned Frogs advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Next up is Texas or Tennessee on Monday night.

Spokane Regional 1

UCLA 76, Ole Miss 62 >> Lauren Betts was so dominant inside that she barely missed, scoring 31 points on 15-of-16 shooting to lead UCLA past Mississippi on Friday night and sending the Bruins to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

The 6-foot-7 Betts added 10 rebounds and three blocks for the No. 1 overall seed, which will face LSU on Sunday for a chance to advance to the Final Four. The Tigers beat N.C. State 80-73 earlier Friday.

Kiki Rice added 13 points and seven assists and was the only other player in double figures for the Bruins (32-2).