Paige Bueckers defends Sarah Strong from critics after UConn rookie misses crucial shots vs USC

UConn's Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong delivered standout performances in the Huskies' 72-70 loss to USC on Saturday. Bueckers recorded 22 points and 3 rebounds, while Strong tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds to record her third double-double of the season.

Despite Strong's impressive overall outing, the 6-foot-2 freshman missed a series of free throws in the final seconds that could have potentially tied the game for No. 4 UConn. She missed the second and third attempts from the line after being fouled by USC's JuJu Watkins on a 3-point try with just 5 seconds remaining.

Paige Bueckers grabbed the rebound after the third hit and passed it back to Strong, who tried a desperate 3 at the buzzer but missed.

In the postgame interview, Bueckers leaped to defend Strong from any potential criticism.

"Just to be clear, that game was not won or lost with those three free throws," Paige said. "Sarah was a huge reason we were a big part of that second-half comeback and the reason we were even in the game."

"For her to continue to show up on this stage and play as well as she has, continuing to affect the game in so many different ways — whether it be rebounding, defending, assisting, or scoring. I don’t want people to get the wrong impression that she didn’t impact this game tremendously in a very positive way."

Paige Bueckers reflects on close loss to USC

Paige Bueckers was visibly disappointed with the loss against the Trojans but the senior guard is not panicking after the defeat. It was UConn's second loss of the campaign, having previously fallen to Hannah Hidalgo and No. 3 Notre Dame.

After the game, Bueckers said the team just needed to regroup and perform consistently for the whole of the game.

"When we're really good, we're really good. And when we're not, we're not," Bueckers said (3:32). "Like coach was saying, we can't have two teams that show up every single night, whether it be our first-half team or our second-half team."

"We have to remain consistent in who we are and what gets us to winning. So, take this Christmas break, get rejuvenated, and get in the right mindset to make sure that the right team is returning back."

Paige Bueckers is leading the Huskies in scoring this season, averaging 20.8 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Meanwhile freshman Sarah Strong has stepped up alongside Bueckers, putting up 17.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg.