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Katie Barnes, ESPN.com 2y

UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers leaves win over Notre Dame with knee injury

UConn Huskies, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The No. 2 UConn women's basketball team beat rival Notre Dame 73-54 on Sunday in Storrs, but the win might have come with a hefty price tag.

Reigning national player of the year Paige Bueckers suffered a left knee injury in the waning moments of Sunday's victory. She will get an MRI in the coming days.

With under a minute left in the game, the sophomore star collapsed to the floor in obvious pain and had to be carried to the bench by two teammates.

"You immediately put yourself in that kid's shoes," Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said. "That's the part that really hits you in the pit of your stomach. Initial report is that she might have hyperextended it, but I think the first thing that goes through your mind is the worst thing."

Bueckers led the Huskies in scoring with 22 points on the day. She also added four rebounds, four assists and five steals. Until she was injured, Bueckers had played every minute of the game.

When asked why she was still on the floor even with Connecticut having a large lead, Auriemma was candid.

"I don't have an answer for why she was in the game," Auriemma said. "But yeah, I don't like our team without her on the court."

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