Three Huskies Named To Mid-Season Naismith Team

STORRS—Juniors Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams and freshman Paige Bueckers were selected to the 30-player Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Midseason Team, as announced by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club on Tuesday.

UConn is the only program with three selections on the list. The trio are UConn's top scorers this season.

Bueckers leads the Huskies with 21.1 points per game, 5.6 assists per game and 36 steals. She also leads the nation with a 56.9 three-point field goal percentage. Bueckers is averaging 21.4 points against ranked teams this season.

Nelson-Ododa is averaging 13.0 points per game and leads the Huskies with 7.1 rebounds per game and 26 blocks.

Williams is averaging 16.1 points per game and has scored in double digits in 12 games this season. She is averaging 17.0 points against ranked opponents.

The second-ranked Huskies (14-1, 11-0 BIG EAST) are back in action Wednesday when they will host Seton Hall (9-3, 7-2) Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion. The game will be televised live on SNY.

—Staff Reports

Bueckers Named BIG EAST Player, Freshman of the Week

STORRS—Paige Bueckers has been selected as both the BIG EAST Player and Freshman of the Week, as announced by the conference Monday. Bueckers reached the 30-point mark in both wins for the third-ranked Huskies last week, tallying 32 points off 13-of-20 shooting in Wednesday’s win against St. John’s before scoring a game-high 32 in Friday’s win at Marquette. She was 12-of-18 from the field against the Golden Eagles to tally a .658 shooting clip for the week, including an 11-of-15 (.733) mark from three.

The rookie sensation added 4.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game. This is Bueckers’ first BIG EAST Player of the Week certificate and seventh Freshman of the Week honor. She is the first to sweep both BIG EAST weekly honors since Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist did so on Dec. 23, 2019. Bueckers is just the fourth player in league history to sweep the awards, along with Siegrist, Marquette’s Allazia Blockton (Feb. 15, 2016) and fellow UConn standout Maya Moore (March 4, 2008).

Bueckers is just the third UConn freshman to be named conference player of the week. In addition to Moore, Christyn Williams was named American Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 3, 2018. Fellow freshman Aaliyah Edwards was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. Edwards averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and .867 shooting. She scored a career-high 22 points against St. John’s on Wednesday, going 9-of-11 from the field, before going a perfect 4-for-4 at Marquette on Friday en route to 11 points.

—Staff Reports

Hartford Athletic Announces Creation of Charitable Foundation

HARTFORD—Hartford Athletic, Connecticut's representative in the United Soccer League (USL), has announced the launch of its new Green & Blue Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation strives to make a difference in underserved communities through the Club’s five key Community Support Pillars:

• Health and Wellness
• Youth and Family Education
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Veterans and First Responder Support
• Economic Development

“From day one, Hartford Athletic has aspired to deepen our roots in the community, enhance the lives of those in need, and work hard every day to make our home the best place to live, work, and play,” said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. “The Green & Blue Foundation will allow us to continue to deliver on this mission. Over the past two seasons we have hosted and participated in hundreds of community events and programs in our community. We are excited to take this to the next level with the launch of the Foundation.”

The Green & Blue Foundation, which has already raised over $100,000 in donations, seeks to promote hope and growth throughout Connecticut by delivering programs that enhance the lives of all in our community. New initiatives in development for 2021 include:

• Veterans and Diversity Hiring Expo
• STEM & Soccer Education Day
• Changemakers platform

The Changemakers platform is focused on identifying inequities and implementing change in the community. Changemakers will kick off with a Women’s Leadership Series in conjunction with the United Nations Global Goals World Cup team to focus on Global Goal #10, Reduced Inequalities.

In just its first two seasons Hartford Athletic and its corporate partners have worked together to make a major impact on the local community. Notable programs include donating over 20,000 meals to Foodshare, raising almost $30,000 for Girls for Technology and Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford via the Annual Match for a Cause, supporting 15 local businesses impacted by COVID-19 through Shop For a Cause, and more.

“We can’t say enough about the great work Hartford Athletic does for us at Foodshare,” said CEO Jason Jakubowski. “Between the Goals for Meals program and the Shop for a Cause program, Hartford Athletic has helped us distribute more than 20,000 meals in central Connecticut over the past two years. We cannot thank them enough.”

“We are excited for the launch of the Green & Blue Foundation,” added Sam Gray, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. "This will have a tremendous impact on families in the Greater Hartford community.”

Allison Mannette, a Connecticut native and Central Connecticut State University graduate, has been named the Director of the Foundation. Lily Donatelli, also a Connecticut native and Hartford Athletic’s Community Engagement Manager, will also oversee the implementation of the Foundation’s activities.

“Allison and Lily have done an excellent job establishing our presence in the community, and as an organization we are excited to continue to develop leaders,” Mandell added. “Their talent and passion for community engagement is the perfect fit for the launch of our Foundation.”

The Green & Blue Foundation also unveiled its logo.

For more information about the Green & Blue Foundation and ways that you can get involved, please visit hartfordathletic.com/foundation or email Allison Mannette directly at amannette@hartfordathletic.com.

Open Tryouts
Hartford Athletic will be hosting 2021 Open Tryouts on February 20th and 21st for Connecticut residents only (due to COVID-19 restrictions). Stay tuned for options for those residing outside of Connecticut.

In the first two seasons, three players have been signed to the first team out of open tryouts including current players Conor McGlynn and Alfonso Vazquez. Five players were invited to continue their trial during preseason in 2020. Don't miss your chance to make the 2021 squad!

Hartford Athletic coaches and some players will be on hand throughout the tryout. Extensive health protocols will be in place.

—Staff Reports

Huskies Turn Another 'Paige,' Stop No. 1 SC

By Bob Phillips

STORRS—This one was a statement game. Sure it was played in an arena devoid of fans thanks to the pandemic we're all coping with these days. And sure it came less than 24 hours after Tom Brady led his Tampa Bay Bucs to the Super Bowl championship—the seventh title for #TB12. But this one was humongous. South Carolina vs. UConn. No. 1 vs. No. 2.

And in the end, it was the Huskies that came through, fueled by a 31-point performance by the incomparable Paige Bueckers—the latest in the long line of Husky “best evers.” And of course, it was a long, LONG three-pointer that hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air, and swooshed back down through the nets that sealed the deal for the Huskies, with Connecticut up by a point with 13 seconds remaining in OT.

Game, set, match, Huskies. Compliments largely of their supremely talented freshman.

"It bounced straight up, so I was like, 'Man, it's got to go in,'" said Bueckers, who scored all of her team's nine points in the extra stanza. "It looked good. It felt good, but, yeah, I would say that was a really nice bounce."

The Gamecocks' Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson missed 3-pointers in the final seconds.

Aliyah Boston had 17 points and 15 rebounds for South Carolina (15-2), which overcame a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit.

A layup by Aubrey Griffin had given the Huskies a 50-43 lead with just over 8 minutes left, before South Carolina turned up the defense and went on an 11-0 run.

Victaria Saxton's layup over Olivia Nelson-Ododa gave the Gamecocks a 52-50 lead, and Boston's jumper extended that to 54-50 with just under 2 1/2 minutes to play.

But Bueckers hit two straight jumpers to tie the game at 54 with 46 seconds left in regulation.

Henderson missed a fall-away jumper with 4 seconds left and the Gamecocks missed three chances to tip-in a game winner.

Bueckers' heroics ended a 12-game winning streak for South Carolina.

"She's that player," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "She's that player that comes along that people talk about—'Hey did you see that kid from Connecticut?' She's that kid."

"We'll learn from it," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. "I told our players that everything we want it still in front of us."

Bueckers has 142 points over her last five games and 93 over her last three, scoring 30 or better in each of those.

“It's been a long time since one player has had to carry a team as much as she's had to in some of these games," Auriemma said.

With the win, the Huskies improve to 14-1, while the Gamecocks fall to 15-2.

Next up, the Huskies will host Seton Hall Wednesday night at Gampel (6:30 p.m. ET, SNY), while the Gamecoks—who have been on the road for four of their last five games—return home to take on Missouri (ESPN/SEC Network) at 7 p.m. (ET) on Thursday night.

—With Staff Reports

Sound Tigers Announce 2021 Schedule

BRIDGEPORT—The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, have announced their 2020-21 regular-season schedule. The team’s first game will take place on Friday, February 5th at the Providence Bruins.

The Sound Tigers are slated to play 12 games each against the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Providence Bruins, who will relocate to Marlborough, Massachusetts. The AHL season begins Friday, February 5th and run through Sunday, May 16.

“As we prepare for a season unlike any other in our 85-year history, our priorities are first and foremost health and safety,” said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson. “Our main objective is to provide a safe environment for our players to continue their development towards a career in the National Hockey League.”

All of Bridgeport’s home games for the 2020-21 season will take place at Webster Bank Arena. Due to health and safety protocols, no fans will be permitted in the building.

“While we would be thrilled to have an arena full of cheering fans watching the Sound Tigers play, the health and safety of our fans, players and employees remain the organization’s top priority,” said Brent Rossi, President of Business Operations. “In accordance with state and local protocols regarding public gatherings, the team will play without fans in attendance. All games will continue to be broadcast live through the AHLTV platform and the team’s online radio network.”

The Sound Tigers are also excited to announce that season tickets for the 2021-22 season are on sale now, beginning at just $42 per month. The new membership-based program includes a simplified seating chart that’s centered around sitting wherever you want for the same price. Whether you prefer to sit behind the net, by the home tunnel, or even up against the glass, the Sound Tigers have made it as easy as possible for you to get exactly what you want. Lock in your seats today by visiting SoundTigers.com or by calling 203-579-5231.

“We are excited to have hockey officially back in Bridgeport,” Vice President of Ticket Sales Jon Forsberg said. “Despite not being able to have fans join us for this season, we are looking ahead to 2021-22 and our new season ticket options. We have made it a priority to take care of our most loyal customers and this new membership program is designed to take their fandom to a new level.”

The Sound Tigers will be providing all season ticket members, new and existing, a complimentary subscription to AHLTV to follow the team during every live game this year. In addition, all new and renewed members who place a deposit prior to April 1, 2021 will receive an exclusive team jersey.

For a complete schedule, click HERE.

—Staff Reports