Huskies had more than one reason to be happy Saturday. Sure, they notched another win. Paige Bueckers put on a show. They played in front of the first sellout crowd in Butler women’s basketball history. But the biggest highlight? All the beloved seniors were on the floor—including, yes, Caroline Ducharme. And no one was happier about it than her fellow senior and bestie, “Paige Buckets.”
UConn guard spent more than 15 months working her way back from a head injury. The last time she played for UConn was November 20, 2023. Fast forward to February 23, 2025, and that’s a whopping 461 days away from the game she loves.
She had missed chunks of each of the past three seasons due to head injuries, including five games during UConn’s national runner-up finish in 2021-22 and a mere 23 appearances the following season. But on Saturday, her wait finally ended.
In the waning minutes of UConn’s dominant 86-47 victory at Butler’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, Ducharme stepped onto the court. As she pulled on her headband, the crowd erupted. The moment was Pure magic. No, she wasn’t out there long, logging just one rebound in two minutes. But that didn’t matter. It was a start. And fans, the team, and head coach Geno Auriemma couldn’t be happier to have her back.
Nov 8, 2023; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Caroline Ducharme (33) shoots for three points against the Dayton Flyers in the first half at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The fifth year senior made it clear just how much this moment meant. She re-shared UConn’s video welcoming Ducharme back on her Instagram story, adding a heartfelt “LETS GOOOOO ” and a three-word message, “Most deserving bestie.” But that wasn’t all.
When asked about Ducharme’s return, Bueckers tried her best to hold her tears. “It’s crazy,” she said. “It brings you to tears because of everything she’s been through and everything she’s overcome and how much work she’s put into it.” The guard added how Ducharme dedicated her entire life to getting back to doing what she loves. “But it’s made her stronger and she’s never wavered in who she is. She’s a great person, a great teammate. So you just get really excited for her in those moments,” she expressed.
And while #5 was celebrating her teammate’s return, she was also making more history herself. Because, that’s just what she does.
Paige Bueckers cracks UConn’s top 6 scorers list
Paige Bueckers didn’t even need 20 minutes to jump up three spots on UConn women’s basketball’s all-time career scoring list. Entering Saturday’s game at Butler, she sat at 2,166 career points. By the time the second quarter hit, she had already passed Kerry Bascom at No. 8 (2,177) and Nykesha Sales and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis at No. 7 and No. 6 (both at 2,178). Her 3-pointer with 3:27 left in the first half officially pushed her past them, and then she nailed another.
At halftime, Bueckers had 17 points — the same amount Butler had in total. She finished the game with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding 10 assists, three steals, and two rebounds. And just like that, she made more history.
Katie Lou Samuelson now holds the No. 5 spot on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 2,342 career points, followed by Tina Charles at No. 4 (2,346), Napheesa Collier at No. 3 (2,401), Breanna Stewart at No. 2 (2,676), and the legendary Maya Moore at No. 1 with 3,036 points.
But you know what? Bueckers has taken less time than any baller above her to reach this spot. Saturday’s game marked her 113th career game. By the end of it, her career total sat at 2,189 points and counting.
Paige Bueckers is now No. 6 on UConn’s career scoring leaders pic.twitter.com/XstcAogPa0
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 22, 2025
For reference, Bascom (120 games), Sales (137), and Mosqueda-Lewis (142) all needed more games to reach their totals.. If UConn makes it all the way to the national championship, that would put her at 124 career games. And none of the five Huskies above her played as few games.
Samuelson finished her career with 140, Charles with 152, Collier with 150, Stewart with 152, and Moore with 154. So yeah, Bueckers isn’t just climbing the rankings. She’s shattering expectations along the way.
Meanwhile, with a 25-3 record, UConn is on the brink of clinching yet another outright Big East regular-season title. They can seal the deal with a win over No. 23 Creighton on Thursday. And this year, Ducharme might actually get to celebrate with them.
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