Paige Bueckers' 27 points help Hopkins go to 16-0

Hopkins proved it's the state's best girls' basketball team again Tuesday night.

The Royals, the top-ranked in Class 4A, turned a three-point halftime deficit into a double-digit lead in the first five minutes of the second half, and went on to an 87-77 victory over Class 4A, No. 2 Wayzata in a Lake Conference matchup at the Lindbergh Center.

Defending state champion Hopkins (16-0) extended its winning streak to 48 games.

Connecticut recruit senior guard Paige Bueckers kept the Royals close in the first half with 21 of her 27 points.

Sophomore forward Maya Nnaji got more involved in the second half for the Royals, scoring 17 of her 23 points. She also finished with 11 rebounds.

"I know I can always count on [Nnaji]," Bueckers said. "I can just give her the ball, and she'll make something good happen.

"In the first half I was on fire, but in the second half I couldn't make a shot, so I relied heavily on her."

Gophers coach Lindsay Whalen and Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma were both in attendance.

Ben Grundhauser of SportsEngine contributed to this report.

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