Christyn Williams, others step up, giving UConn women solid scoring options beyond Paige Bueckers

When freshman point guard Paige Bueckers went on her tear of three straight 30-plus-point games a few weeks ago, it reflected two truths.

First, that Bueckers was a sensational player capable of putting up huge numbers at a ridiculously efficient rate. Second, that she needed some help handling the scoring load.

With only two games remaining in the regular season — starting with Saturday afternoon’s matchup at Butler — the No. 1 Huskies (19-1, 16-0 Big East) seem to have taken a step in the right direction.

The most crucial part to UConn finding better scoring balance has been the re-emergence of Christyn Williams, whose disappearance that first week of February (primarily during the South Carolina game) was cause for concern. But the junior guard has rebounded well since, scoring at least 15 points in each of the last four games, shooting at least 50 percent from the floor in the last three. Though she’s stayed aggressive attacking the rim, she’s hit multiple 3s in every game during that stretch — providing a much-needed weapon.

Williams has finished as the team’s top scorer in six games this season — half of those in the last two weeks and another with her 20 points at Tennessee. There’s no doubt she’s become the No. 2 scoring option after Bueckers, and that the Huskies will need her to keep this up in March.

After Williams, there’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa, third in scoring, but she takes significantly fewer shots on average than Bueckers and Williams. She’s led the team in scoring four times, mostly at the beginning of the season. Teams have started to leave her open 15 feet out from the basket, so hitting those midrange jumpers would be a huge contribution from her. She has struggled in the paint against bigger post players.

If anything, UConn seems to be using Nelson-Ododa more as a facilitator than a scorer as of late and she has combined for 10 assists over the last two games alone. In the South Carolina game, she went 3-for-10 from the floor but her facilitating and screening were big reasons why Bueckers was able to be as successful as she was.

Outside of those three, who else contributes may depend on the day or the game situation, though there’s a wealth of options for UConn coach Geno Auriemma to work with.

Aaliyah Edwards has had a promising stretch and is the perfect complement to Nelson-Ododa in the paint. Edwards can finish strong through contact, get down the court in transition and is a great cutter. Evina Westbrook, meanwhile, had nine straight games with double-figure scoring from Dec. 19 to Jan. 31, but since then has only crossed the 10-point threshold once and is 2-for-26 on 3s. UConn could use some 3-point scoring, but would also take some more slashing from her as well.

Significant offense is more of a bonus for Aubrey Griffin, Anna Makurat and Nika Muhl.

Griffin has shown she can score around the rim, off of offensive rebounds and get to the line. She’s not looked to do that as frequently as she was at times earlier in the season, particularly when she was starting. Her 5.0 field goal attempts per game are seventh on the team.

Then there’s Makurat, who’s been out since the Jan. 23 Georgetown game with a lower leg issue. Makurat had scored 44 points in nine games prior to her injury, and struggled from beyond the arc. If and when UConn gets her back, she can help space the floor even more, and hopefully hit some treys.

Muhl, the freshman, scored 19 points Thursday at Creighton, with 15 coming in the first quarter. She hit three early 3s and converted off some steal-and scores, looking the most confident she has on that end of the floor all season.

Auriemma hasn’t started Muhl the last eight games just because of her scoring prowess, though.

“I would say that whatever offense we do get from Nika, I think, is a bonus,” he said. “She is going to get open shots because people are going to try to double some of our other players. So she is going to get open opportunities, and I wanted her to take advantage of those.

“The more confident she gets, the more she makes, and the more she wants to take. So all that’s really good, because it adds one more 3-point weapon, one more scoring weapon to your team and we can spread the floor a little bit better.”

The lineup has a strong cast of characters to surround Bueckers with scoring depth that UConn didn’t have last year. Each player has demonstrated the capability of being and offensive factor. Now each needs to follow through and step up when a championship is on the line.

Closer look at UConn’s offense

Breaking down the Huskies’ scoring:

Christyn Williams: 15.9 PPG, 48.2 FG%, 31.2% on 3s, 13.3 FGA","type":"text

Olivia Nelson-Ododa: 12.8 PPG, 60.1 FG%, 8.9 FGA","type":"text

Aaliyah Edwards: 9.7 PPG, 68.1 FG%, 6.1 FGA","type":"text

Evina Westbrook: 9.4 PPG, 45.7 FG%, 32.1% on 3s, 7.5 FGA","type":"text

Aubrey Griffin: 7.4 PPG, 54.7 FG%, 5.0 FGA","type":"text

Anna Makurat (9 games): 4.9 PPG, 41.5 FG%, 32.3% on 3s, 4.6 FGA","type":"text

Nika Muhl: 4.9 PPG, 34.6 FG%, 30.9% on 3s, 5.1 FGA","type":"text

Alexa Philippou can be reached at aphilippou@courant.com

Alexa Philippou can be reached at aphilippou@courant.com