South Carolina women’s basketball entered Sunday’s National Championship game with history in their sights. The Gamecocks were seeking to go back-to-back as national champions and claim their third title in the last four years. But standing in their way were the UConn Huskies—one of the most storied programs in the sport—determined to reclaim their spot atop the college basketball world.
Led by projected No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers and guided by legendary head coach Geno Auriemma, the No. 2-seeded Huskies put on a clinic. They dismantled the top-seeded Gamecocks 82–59 in a performance that was as dominant as it was historic. The win gave UConn its 12th national championship under Auriemma and its first since 2016, ending a seven-year title drought. At 71 years old, Auriemma also became the oldest coach—men’s or women’s—to win an NCAA basketball national title.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The game began as a tightly contested battle. Both teams brought intensity and executed at a high level in the first quarter, trading baskets and matching each other possession for possession. UConn managed to create a small cushion by the end of the period, holding a 19–14 lead. In the second quarter, South Carolina showed signs of life, cutting the deficit to just three points midway through. But the Huskies responded with poise and precision. Their defensive pressure ramped up, and their offensive execution sharpened, allowing them to extend the lead once again.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. UConn came out of the locker room with renewed energy and immediately took control of the game. They outscored South Carolina by 10 in the quarter, fueled by suffocating defense and outstanding offensive play. UConn’s trio of stars—Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and freshman sensation Sarah Strong—took over the game. The three combined for 65 of UConn’s 82 total points. Bueckers finished with 17 points, controlling the tempo and making big plays when it mattered most.
Facing their largest deficit of the season, South Carolina needed a spark—but UConn never let up. The Gamecocks struggled to generate offense in the fourth quarter, and the Huskies remained locked in until the final buzzer. UConn’s dominance on both ends of the court was on full display down the stretch. Their defensive rotations were sharp, their rebounding relentless, and their offensive execution clinical. When the final horn sounded, UConn had not only beaten the reigning champs but made a statement to the rest of the country.
Photo Cred: BR
With the 82–59 win, UConn officially returned to the top of women’s college basketball. For a program with such a rich history, this championship carried added meaning. After years of coming up just short and battling injuries and roster challenges, the Huskies proved they are once again the standard in the sport. For Geno Auriemma, this 12th title further cements his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. The women’s college basketball landscape is more competitive than ever—but on Sunday night, UConn reminded everyone what greatness looks like.
