Bueckers starts as UConn rolls past Mercer 83-38

By PAT EATON-ROBB
AP Sports Writer

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers started and scored 12 points as UConn began its run toward a 12th NCAA Tournament title with an 83-38 first-round rout of No. 15 seed Mercer. Last season’s national player of the year played 24 minutes, the most in six games since coming back from a left knee injury that kept her out for more than two months. She also had five assists and four rebounds. Christyn Williams had 13 points to lead the Huskies, who opened the tournament with a win for the 28th straight time. Shannon Titus had 12 points to lead Mercer, which was making its fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.