In the Page Bookers final game at what she has been called home for the past five years, UConn's star senior provided an incredible performance that fans will not forget right away.
The Bueckers held a show for the Gampel Pavilion crowd, leading the second seed Connecticut to a 10-seeded South Dakota 91-57 defeat in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bueckers scored 21 points (half a career) in the first half, giving UConn a comfortable 15-point lead at halftime.
She finished the night with 34 points. This is what I scored in the NCAA Tournament Games.
It was an easy domination by Bueker, who accomplished it in many ways.
Pull-up jumper.
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Turnaround fade way.
Textbook layup.
Step back 3 seconds.
Each basket looked more exciting than last time.
“When Page is locked in, there's nothing you can do to stop her, so I feel almost sorry for the other team,” Aji Hood said. “It doesn't matter what shot she took. The ball goes in… She makes it look very easy.”
After the final bucket of the fourth quarter, she gave a career-high 34 points. She received a standing ovation from the crowd when she finally checked out.
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According to ESPN, it was the Bueckers' sixth 25-point game in March's madness that has tied Maya Moore the most in the last 25 years.
“Obviously, Page was Page,” Geno Auriemma said. “And that's the perfect way to end your career at home. There's no better way to do that than a game like that, a performance like that.”
The emotion hadn't hit Booker right after the game yet.
She recalls the fact that cardboard cutout fans began their college careers by filling their seats due to the pandemic.
The Bueckers became the first freshman to be named National Player of the Year.
She overcomes several injuries and goes to Final 4, where she is healthy every year.
“To play here was a dream, a dream of wearing this uniform, a dream of playing in this environment. And as much as you want it to happen, you'll take every opportunity you have and never take it for granted.”
The Bueckers are guaranteed at least one game as Connecticut heads towards the 31st straight sweet 16, but she and the other Husky are looking to win everything.
