Paige Bueckers fastest to reach 2,000 points in UConn history

STOWERS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers scored 18 points to surpass 2,000 career points and No. 6 UConn beat Seton Hall 96-36 on Sunday. ).

With 8 minutes and 05 seconds left in the first half, Bucs scored his 2,000th and 2,001st points via jump shots. She reached the mark in her 102nd game, breaking Maya Moore's program record of 108 games. Bueckers is the 12th UConn player to reach the milestone.

“To be able to score so many points in such a short period of time is a huge accomplishment,” coach Gino Auriemma said. “Despite going through the ups and downs and missing a whole season and a half of another season, to still be able to do this, stay mentally locked in, stay positive and still be committed to putting in the work, have a thought Everything she's been through, her ability to get out there and make shots, it takes a lot of hard work.

“I don't know how many people work as hard and as often as she does, so I'm glad she's been rewarded. And I'm sure there are many more points in her future.”

Bueckers scored or assisted 36 of UConn's points in just 23 minutes and dished out seven assists.

“I hope I get it at some point,” Bueckers said of the milestone. “I know I'm still six points away, so eventually, hopefully I can get there. I don't want to pressure, I don't want to force the issue, just let it happen naturally in the flow of the game and continue to play the game the right way, Find my teammates, find my shot, play UConn basketball, and whatever is supposed to happen will happen.”

Freshman Sarah Strong had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Azzi Fudd scored 18 points for UConn (17-2, 8-0 Big East).

Aubrey Griffin also returned for the Huskies, playing her first game since tearing her left ACL last January. She scored 3 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 10 minutes.

Jada Eads scored 14 points for Seton Hall (13-5, 5-2).

Strong scored nine points during UConn's 16-2 run, giving the Huskies a 26-7 lead with 1:16 left in the first quarter.

Seton Hall was without Savannah Catalon and Connecticut native Shailene Pinckney for the game. This is the ninth consecutive game Pinckney has missed, while Catalon has missed his eighth consecutive game.

The Associated Press and ESPN's Alexa Philippou contributed to this report.