Marquette's Liza Karlen, center, and Connecticut's Nika Mühl, left, and Azzi Fudd, right, chase the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - UConn celebrated it's ninth straight regular-season conference title on Wednesday, a championship the players said they appreciate a bit more than they may have in years past.
The Huskies, who clinched the top seed in the Big East Tournament with a 69-38 win over Marquette, had to do it with star Paige Bueckers on the bench injured for much of the season and another seven players missing at least two games with injury or illness.
'œI think it definitely means more this season than any other season that we've gotten it in the last four years,'ť senior Olivia Nelson-Ododa said. 'œI think just because of the adversity we faced, the challenges, the injuries, just trying to have to to grind out every single game. It definitely means a lot more.'ť
Evina Westbrook came off the bench to score 17 points and Azzi Fudd added 13 for UConn (20-5, 14-1), which has also won 20 games for a 29th straight year.
Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards each added 10 points for Connecticut, helping extend their current winning streak to five games
Lauren Van Kleunen had 12 points for Marquette (18-9, 11-7), which is headed in the opposite direction, having lost four of its last five games, including a 72-58 loss to the Huskies earlier this month in Milwaukee.
'œYou know we've had a heck of stretch," Marquette coach Megan Duffy. 'œUConn twice in a week and some of the top teams. I think there is still a lot of great basketball to play.'ť
UConn led by 17 points at the halftime, but was held scoreless for the first 3 1/2 minutes of the third quarter. A 7-0 Marquette run cut the Husky lead to 31-21.
But Connecticut responded with an 8-0 run of their own to take back control of the game.
A 3-point play by Westbrook put the Huskies up 51-25 after three quarters and a 3-pointer from Fudd gave the Huskies their first 30-point lead at 59-29.
UConn's defense held Marquette to just 35% shooting.
'œI'm proud of our team, especially this year and the way it played out,'ť coach Geno Auriemma said. 'œIt could have, really, really really gone sideways and it didn't.'ť
BIG PICTURE
Marquette: The Golden Eagles remain in fifth place in the Big East standings ahead of Seton Hall, which sits at 10-8 in the conference. The top five teams will get a bye into the second round of next month's conference tournament.
UConn: Bueckers, who has missed 19 games since going down with a left knee injury in early December, dressed for the first time since her injury and fully participated in pre-game warmups. Auriemma said his star will see her doctor on Thursday and her playing status will be determined after that.
'œPunxsutawney Paige,'ť Auriemma joked. 'œIf she sees her her shadow, it might be two more weeks of rehab, I don't know.'ť
ANOTHER INJURY
Forward Dorka Juhasz left the game after taking an elbow to the mouth in the fourth quarter. Auriemma said she received stitches, but is not expected to miss any time.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Huskies, who played many games this season with just six players, saw their bench, led by Westbrook, contribute 27 points to just 10 for Marquette's reserves.
'œIt felt weird to have so many people back,'ť she said.
Edwards and Westbrook were asked about being the only two Huskies to have played in every game this season and immediately began banging on the wooden interview table.
UP NEXT
Marquette: The Golden Eagles make the short trip to Providence to take on the Friars on Friday night.
UConn: The Huskies are back at the XL center on Friday to host St. John's
Connecticut's Caroline Ducharme (33) shoots over Marquette's Liza Karlen (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Christyn Williams, top pressures Marquette's Antwainette Walker during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Azzi Fudd (35) shoots over Marquette's Chloe Marotta (52) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa shoots as Marquette's Lauren Van Kleunen (42) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma and player Paige Bueckers watch during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Marquette, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Marquette's Lauren Van Kleunen, left, and Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Paige Bueckers warms up with the team before an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Marquette's Chloe Marotta (52) passes under pressure from Connecticut's Azzi Fudd, left, and Aaliyah Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Marquette's Antwainette Walker, left, fouls Connecticut's Evina Westbrook as Westbrook shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Marquette coach Megan Duffy shouts to players during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Connecticut, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Dorka Juhasz leaves the court assisted by teammate Amari DeBerry, left, during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Marquette, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Nika Mühl and Marquette's Liza Karlen (32) dive for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Evina Westbrook drives to the basket as Marquette's Danyel Middleton (25) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut players pose with the Big East regular-season trophy after the team's NCAA college basketball game against Marquette, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa, right, looks to shoot as Marquette's Lauren Van Kleunen defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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