UConn stomps UCLA in Final Four record 34-point victory - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — In Paige Bueckers' final collegiate game, she will have the opportunity to do what she always dreamed of doing with UConn — win a national championship.

The presumptive No.1 overall pick in this month's WNBA draft, Bueckers and the Huskies demolished No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in the national semifinal, the largest margin of victory in NCAA Final Four history, to advance to the program's 13th national title game appearance. UConn became the first team in NCAA tournament history to beat a 1-seed by 30 or more points.

The Huskies advanced to Sunday's title game against defending champion South Carolina, which they beat earlier this season in Columbia. UConn opened as a 5.5-point favorite on ESPN BET.

«At this point, anything you did prior to the season means nothing,» Bueckers said. «The record is 0-0 and teams are tying to go 1-0 in the final game. So keep up the defensive intensity like we did tonight. They're a really good team. They get out in transition, they've got interior play and great guard play, so we'll have our hands full.»

The Bruins finished the season 34-3 and bowed out of the tournament after making their first Final Four appearance.

Though Bueckers' title chase fuels the Huskies, UConn's dominance Friday came more from her teammates. Freshman Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combined for 41 points, while Bueckers, who totaled 105 points in her three previous games, had a quiet night by her standards with 16 points on 7-for-17 shooting (0-for-3 from 3).

It's that talent and depth around Bueckers, who'll appear in her second national title game, that UConn coach Geno Auriemma has said throughout this season will give the Huskies their best shot at winning their 12th championship and first since