Connecticut's Paige Bueckers blocks a shot by St. John's Camree Clegg (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - UConn coach Geno Auriemma wasn't quite sure how his young Huskies, including seven freshmen, would respond to their first postseason experience together.
The answer was pretty much as usual.
Freshman Paige Bueckers scored 17 points and top-ranked Connecticut cruised to a 77-41 rout of St. John's in the Big East quarterfinals on Saturday.
Christyn Williams added 14 points for the Huskies (22-1). Olivia Nelson-Ododa collected each of her 10 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.
The biggest trouble for UConn occurred in the third quarter, when freshman guard Nika Muhl (five points, four rebounds) twisted her left ankle while making a pass. She had to be helped to the locker room and came back to the bench a few minutes later on crutches.
'œNika's a pretty tough kid, as tough as they come,'ť Auriemma said. 'œNika's going to give it every opportunity overnight and she's going to try to play. And if she doesn't play, it's because it's serious.'ť
UConn put the game away early. The Huskies' first four baskets were layups, and they were ahead 18-6 after 10 minutes.
Connecticut continued a 15-2 run into the second quarter and outscored the Red Storm 24-6 in the paint over the first 20 minutes, led by Nelson-Ododa's seventh double-double of the season.
'œWe wanted to get into our transition offense as much as possible, kind of get our pace up and kind of run teams like back at the beginning (of the season),'ť the junior said.
UConn led 38-15 at the break and 63-28 after three quarters.
The Huskies outscored the Johnnies 30-6 on the break after scoring just two fast-break points in their regular-season finale against Marquette.
'œWe just wanted to key in on our defense," Bueckers said. 'œBecause in reality our defense really sets well for our offense, transitions well. If you set the tone on defense, it makes the offense a whole lot easier.'ť
Leilani Correa and Unique Drake each had seven points for St. John's. The Red Storm, who lost to UConn 94-62 and 77-32 during the regular season, finish their campaign at 8-15.
'œThe fact that we got to this point is probably one of the bigger wins we've had,'ť coach Joe Tartamella said. 'œWe played more games than a lot of teams. Our kids did a really good job staying safe.'ť
BIG PICTURE
St. John's: The Red Storm, who beat Xavier 65-57 on Friday, have won their Big East opening-round game each time they have been an eight seed, but have fallen in the quarterfinals all five times. They have not won two games in the tournament since winning the championship in 2016.
UConn: The Huskies have made the semifinals of a conference tournament every year since 1988, when they lost to Boston College in the first round. UConn has now won 158 straight games against conference opponents since losing to Notre Dame in the Big East title game in 2013.
THE FRESHMEN
UConn's freshmen combined for 38 points and 17 rebounds, led by Bueckers. Auriemma said more importantly, all his freshmen played with poise.
'œThat was pretty cool to see that they just played like it was a basketball game that we had to win,'ť he said.
SHE'S BACK
UConn sophomore Anna Makurat returned to the court after being sidelined for 13 games with a stress fracture in her right leg. She did not score in 11 minutes, but pulled down three rebounds.
UP NEXT
UConn will play Sunday against the winner of the quarterfinal between DePaul and Villanova.
Connecticut's Paige Bueckers, left, looks to shoot while pressured by St. John's Kadaja Bailey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Nika Mühl, right, steals the ball from St. John's Unique Drake during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Christyn Williams, top, makes a basket while fouled by St. John's Unique Drake during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Christyn Williams, left, and Paige Bueckers celebrate a basket by Williams against St. John's during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
St. John's Camree Clegg gestures after making a 3-point basket against Connecticut during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
St. John's head coach Joe Tartamella, left, watches play with his coaching staff during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Connecticut in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa shoots over St. John's Rayven Peeples during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Nika Mühl, center, is helped off the court by teammates Paige Bueckers, left, and Evina Westbrook, back and athletic trainer Janelle Francisco, right, as head coach Geno Auriemma, left, looks on, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut's Nika Mühl, center, is helped off the court by teammates Paige Bueckers, left, and Evina Westbrook, back, and athletic trainer Janelle Francisco, right, after an injury during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma talks to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press