Newark, New Jersey - In the Never Forget Classic on Saturday, the shorthanded UConn Huskies rebounded from a rare loss over the UCLA Bruins to get back into the win column.

The third-ranked Huskies beat the Bruins 71-61 for their first win since losing their star player, Paige Bueckers (20) last weekend.

After a tough loss Thursday night, UConn definitely needed a win to avoid a first losing streak for the Huskies women’s basketball program since 1993.

It was a slow start for both squads, but the Bruins did just enough to lead by four after one quarter.

The Huskies responded well and outscored UCLA 15-13 in the second quarter to trail by only two at halftime.

UConn got hot enough in the second half to establish a small lead during the closing minutes of the third quarter and never looked back.

The Huskies defense shined in the game’s final minutes to hold the Bruins to their fourth-straight quarter of fewer than 20 points, as UConn held on to win.

Leading the way for the Huskies on Saturday was senior guard Evina Westbrook, one of five players on the team that scored in double figures.

Since their best player will be out for quite a while, Westbrook is expected to step up in Paige Bueckers’ absence and she definitely rose to the occasion on Saturday with a strong performance.

Westbrook finished the game shooting 6-for-15 from the field for a team-high 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

Thursday’s loss to Georgia Tech was definitely a wake-up call for the Huskies.

Like any team that loses its star player, UConn will have to keep relying more on good collective work. On a psychological level too, proving they can win without Paige Bueckers will have given them a big boost.

The games don’t have to be pretty, but as long as they keep coming out on top like this, the Huskies will be in good shape once Bueckers comes back, possibly just in time for the national tournament.

Next Sunday, the UConn will be at home to face the Louisville Cardinals while on Thursday, the Bruins will also be back on their own court to take on the Texas Southern Tigers.