SPOKANE, Wash. — In the UConn Huskies’ 78-64 Elite Eight win against the USC Trojans, the dynamic duo of Paige Bueckers (BECK-ers) and Sarah Strong led the way, but graduate transfer Kaitlyn Chen (KATE-Lin) stepped up when it mattered most. Although she averaged 6.8 points during the regular season, she scored 15 points, including six in the fourth quarter. Chen rose to the occasion when the Trojans focused on the Huskies’ star players, and her performance instilled confidence in her team, including Head Coach Geno Auriemma (Or-ee-ehm- uh).

“Ever since (Chen) got to UConn, I’ve always felt a certain level of confidence with her, because she comes from a great program,” Auriemma said after UConn’s win against USC. She’s well-coached, and she’s used to being counted on. She’s not going to shy away from doing great things.”

Chen started her career as the go-to option with the Princeton Tigers, where she spent three seasons before transferring to the Huskies. She is known as an aggressive scorer who also does her best to get her teammates involved. Chen is playing a different role in a new system with UConn, but she is adjusting well thanks to the help of her teammates and coaches.

“(Adjusting to UConn) took a little bit of time to get used to and learn the system here, and see where I would fit in best,” Chen said. “My teammates and coaches have helped me a lot with finding that role and figuring out what’s best for me and what works best for the team.”

Playing alongside her teammates, including Bueckers, has helped her improve with the Huskies and learn her role. Chen mentioned how Bueckers is easy to play with and how she’s always able to lend a helping hand.

“(Bueckers) is easy to play with,” she said. “You can always go to her if you ever need help.”

Learning from one of the best players in college basketball is helping Chen at UConn, and anytime she needs help, Bueckers is there to assist. After the Huskies’ win against USC, Bueckers spoke about Chen’s performance and how the team needed her aggressiveness.

“(Chen) was amazing,” Bueckers said. “(The team) knew we needed the aggressive version of her, and she stepped up to the plate and delivered very well. She played her heart out and left everything on the floor.”

Chen is also learning from an all-time great coach in Auriemma, who has aided the adjustment process for her, while improving her game.

“I feel like I’ve learned so much from (Auriemma) and all of our assistants,” she mentioned. “There’s always little stuff that you can do to get better, and they helped make this (learning) process go as smoothly as possible.”

Chen has been an important role player for the Huskies this season, and she has been a key reason for their success. As UConn continues its quest for a national championship, Chen will need to step up again for them to get past the one-seeded UCLA Bruins in the Final Four.