UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Midway through her first WNBA road trip, Paige Bueckers looked right at home on Tuesday.
The Connecticut faithful serenaded the former national champion every chance they got and she did not disappoint, leading the Dallas Wings past the Connecticut Sun, 109-87.
"It felt great just to play like that as a team," Bueckers said after winning her first WNBA game.
"Obviously this environment is special, but to be able to play like that as a team, to put a full 40 minutes together and come out with a win, stay connected throughout... there's definitely stuff we need to improve (and) clean up on, but to put it together like that, it felt good to be out there."
Bueckers was not the only player returning to the Constitution State. Former Sun players, DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris, returned to Mohegan in their first game since the Sun's blockbuster trade that also saw Alyssa Thomas move to Phoenix.
Before the game, the Connecticut Sun played a highlight video of Carrington's four years with the franchise. Selected with the 20th pick in the second round of the 2021 WNBA Draft, Carrington cherished the love and appreciation shown by the organization and the Sun's loyal fanbase.
"It felt great, (Connecticut fans) always showed love the whole time I was here," Carrington said. "It was nice to know that I left an impact here.
"It was nice to see even familiar faces in the crowd... seeing people still in my jersey out here, even though I'm on a different team, it was nice to see (and) very heartwarming (with) the video and everything, I appreciate Connecticut too, to take the time to do that."
Bueckers got Carrington going early, finding her for the first basket of the game with a hit-ahead pass for an easy bucket in transition before setting up Carrington on the next play with a three.
The Wings jumped out to an 11-5 lead after the first three minutes with Bueckers assisting or scoring on each of the first five field goals for Dallas.
Anticipation filled the arena every time the ball touched Bueckers' hands and the crowd roared with joy with every positive contribution. The former Husky ended the first quarter with seven points, four assists and three boards as the Wings trailed by one.
The Wings regained the lead on the first possession of the second and rapidly extended the advantage to double digits behind a 16-3 run. The Wings' lead grew to as many as 17 and entered halftime comfortably in front, 56-42.
Bueckers closed the first half with 15 points, five assists and two steals.
Carrington got rolling again in the second half, scoring a quick seven points and knocking down her second three of the night.
"I just tried to run the floor (tonight)," Carrington said. "That's what I think Connecticut (fans are) used to seeing me do is run the floor and get out in transition.
"I'm glad I was able to do that and just continue what's the norm for me, get on track a little bit (and) get a little bit of a rhythm, a little bit of a flow."
Carrington finished with a season-high 16 points for Dallas as the Wings ran away from the Sun in the fourth quarter.
The 2024 Most Improved Player of the Year has struggled in her first four games for Dallas, shooting just 32.4% from the field and 27.3% from deep, scoring 8.8 points per game in 23.1 minutes per game.
"I've struggled the past few games, so it's nice to get off to a quick start," Carrington said. "I came out quick and didn't get back in for a while, but I think I picked up where I left off when I came back in, so it felt good."
Bueckers exited the game with 4:09 on the clock, walking off to a final round of applause. She had 21 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in just over 35 minutes.
As much as she tried to remain neutral, one record in particular remained in the back of Buecker's mind.
"Honestly, I don't ever think of (the environment) at all," Bueckers said. "(But) I don't think I've ever lost here, so I was trying to carry that into tonight."
Bueckers also highlighted the opportunity to share the court again with her former teammate at UConn, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, as well as other UConn greats, Tina Charles and Bria Hartley.
"It was funny, we were at the free throw line and I was going to fill in the position (next to Nelson-Ododa)," Bueckers recalled. "(She) slid her hand out like she was about to high-five me. We just laughed about it, it's like muscle memory.
"I know Bria (Hartley) and her son extremely well too... I know Tina (Charles as well) so just competing is the best sign of respect and going at each other tonight, to be able to share the floor with them knowing how much we've done at UConn. (Nelson-Ododa), that's like my sister, so it's really great to compete against them and just share that court."