Guards Ari Wiggins, Kilyn McGuff, Caroline Strande and Sydney Jaynes were honored on Senior Day. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics.
The Butler women’s basketball team fell 86-47 to No. 5 UConn on Feb. 22. It was the first time in program history that a sellout crowd packed into Hinkle Fieldhouse for a women’s game.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said that he made sure to tell his players how iconic of a building Hinkle is.
Auriemma hoped Butler fans enjoyed the experience of a sellout, despite the outcome of the game.
“Our players are used to this,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic that the Butler kids, the Butler coaching staff and the Butler fans had a chance to experience this. On that side, you don’t get that every day. A women’s basketball player playing in this environment is something that they’ll remember for a long time.”
The Bulldogs had a couple of early buckets that had Butler fans energized out of the gate, but the Huskies quickly responded and did not look back for the remainder of the game.
Former National Player of the Year Paige Bueckers lived up to the name, putting up 23 points, 10 assists and three steals. Her 17 points at the half matched Butler’s first half total.
For the Dawgs, Kilyn McGuff was one of the top scorers recording 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Along with McGuff, Lily Zeistra continued on her hot streak, also putting up 13 points and shooting an impressive 71% from the field.
The Dawgs will look to bounce back at Villanova on Feb. 26 as they wrap up conference play.
