The UConn Huskies are again on prime of the basketball world! Defeating South Carolina 82-59 within the NCAA Nationwide Championship sport, the Huskies earn their twelfth title in program historical past.
Get your tissues out. Sunday was the fairytale ending for UConn star Paige Bueckers and the Huskies. Having missed out on a Nationwide Title since 2016, UConn has prevailed over South Carolina. The leaders in Division 1 Ladies’s basketball, the Huskies added yet one more trophy to their successful show.
Knocking off Tennessee and the late Pat Summitt within the early 2000s, UConn stands on the prime because the basketball capital of the world. With a inhabitants hovering simply over 15,000 in Storrs, basketball is all the things within the suburban city.
Losses to Notre Dame, Tennessee and USC killed the Huskies desires of reclaiming the No.1. seed. In the long run, seeding is only a quantity. Defeating the Gamecocks 87-58 again in February, the Huskies put the complete nation on discover. On Sunday, they repeated that feat but once more.
Heading into Sunday, the Huskies had their hardest opponent but, the South Carolina Gamecocks. Led by Daybreak Staley, South Carolina is subsequent as much as chase Auriemma and the Huskies within the historical past books.
UConn’s Journey of Perseverance Led to an NCAA Title
UConn Huskies, you’re NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
Effectively accomplished, Paige Bueckers and this complete workforce. What a season. pic.twitter.com/oaD3htawYn
— Meghan L. Corridor (@ItsMeghanLHall) April 6, 2025
The Huskies secretly have been the favorites all alongside. Shedding stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd in years previous attributable to accidents was heartbreaking. Regardless of being dealt a foul deck of playing cards, the Huskies have managed to seem in two Closing Fours since 2022.
Defeated by Aliyah Boston and the Gamecocks 64-49 within the 2022 Nationwide Championship, it was by no means about redemption for UConn. Led by prime WNBA prospect Paige Bueckers, what mattered most was ending the objective. The emphasis was on perseverance and dedication. Though accidents are sadly a part of the sport, UConn confirmed the nation the ability of resilience on Sunday.
UConn entered Sunday’s matchup as heavy 7.5 level favorites, and there have been 5 lead adjustments between UConn and South Carolina within the first quarter. An entire masterclass by the Huskies, UConn by no means regarded again after Te-Hina Paopao’s three-pointer to leap begin the sport. With a 19-12 commanding first quarter lead, the Huskies stored their foot on the fuel. UConn’s Championship Protection Was Key
Charming a 36-25 half-time lead, the Connecticut protection held South Carolina to a meager 12 second quarter factors. Bueckers is undoubtedly UConn’s famous person, nonetheless, their defensive prowess has been the underrated story line all season. UConn’s inside protection was suffocating, holding Chloe Kitts to 9 factors on 3-11 capturing. I can not keep in mind the final time South Carolina’s beginning unit failed to attain factors in double figures.
UConns defensive was too potent for Staley and firm on the finish of the day. Benching MiLaysia Fulwiley, the Gamecocks have been determined for solutions on the offensive finish. The deepest bench in all of NCAA ladies’s basketball, the reserves mixed for 35 factors.
It was uncharacteristic for the Gamecocks, who’s been dominant all yr lengthy. Displaying no mercy in the direction of her gamers, Staley admits it is a studying curve that may in the end encourage the group.
“I hope they’re crying, I hope they’re boo-hooing,” stated Staley submit sport. “From crying and having emotion about shedding makes you’re employed somewhat bit more durable within the off season. Makes you take a look at it, and actually analyze what the separation is from their program to our program.”
How UConn’s Protection Disrupted South Carolina’s Scheme
Of that 35 factors, freshman Joyce Edwards and Tessa Johnson led the best way with 10 factors a bit for the Gamecocks. Though having received the offensive rebound battle, UConn freshman Sarah Robust was a power to be reckoned with on the inside. Recording two steals and three blocks, the paint was on lock for UConn. Total, the UConn defensively held South Carolina to 21-61 (34.4 %) from the sphere, and 4-16 (25 %) from past the arc.
It isn’t on a regular basis you see senior Te-Hina Paopao held to 1-6 capturing for 3 factors. With that, Raven Johnson and Bree Corridor have been restricted to a mixed 4 factors. UConn’s defensive effort proven on Sunday needs to be proven to all younger athletes studying the sport of basketball. In fact, it wasn’t only one stand out participant. Sarah Robust, Azzi Fudd, and Ashlynn Shade every recorded 2+ steals.
The Story has been the protection, nonetheless let’s discuss concerning the offense. 82 factors wasn’t shocking, since UConn averaged 87.2 match factors heading into Sunday’s Championship matchup.
With Sarah Robust and Azzi Fudd main the Huskies with 24 factors a bit, Robust completed with 15 rebounds, together with 5 assists, two steals, and three blocks. Dominant on the boards and paint factors, the Huskies scored 14 factors off turnovers. That was largely to Fudd, who added 5 rebounds, one help, and one steal. Azzi Fudd Was Named NCAA Most Excellent Participant
The crossover was scientific 😮💨😮💨 @azzi_35 #MarchMadness x #WFinalFour x @UConnWBB pic.twitter.com/KEHO8D2CFV
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 6, 2025
Talking of Fudd, she missed the complete 2023-2024 season attributable to a torn ACL. Not solely did she come again a champion, however was named Most Excellent Participant. Having introduced she’ll return for Storrs for one final dance, she was a monumental purpose for UConn’s early success. A menace on each ends of the court docket, Azzi was environment friendly in attacking downhill. Regardless of capturing 1-6 from deep, it was Fudd who kick began the Huskies.
It was all fuel and no breaks for UConn, who outscored South Carolina 46-33 within the second half. With a colossal 26 level third quarter, the Gamecocks picked up steam with Fulwiley again within the sport. Regardless of their efforts, it was all Sarah Robust and Fudd within the third quarter. With a powerful two-player sport, the 2 mixed for 20 third quarter factors. The within sport and fouls have been an excessive amount of for South Carolina.
Each participant on the Huskies roster noticed enjoying time, which is unparalleled in a championship sport. Scoring six of her 9 factors within the ultimate quarter, the nation witness a glimpse of the longer term. With freshman ahead Jana El Afly in foul bother, the Huskies resorted to small ball.
With that, KK Arnold’s capacity to swiftly assault downhill was spectacular. A defensive menace, Arnold completed with 9 factors, and three assists. Alfy, who’s dad and mom flew all the best way from Egypt, completed with two factors and two rebounds.
Paige Bueckers Made NCAA Historical past
CONGRATULATIONS PAIGE! Formally a Nationwide Champion! 🏆 it has been unimaginable to observe you construct your legacy! @paigebueckers is the 2021 John R. Picket Award® Winner – the primary freshman to ever win the Ladies’s Award! pic.twitter.com/hJoPNGly0Z
— John R. Picket Award (@WoodenAward) April 7, 2025
Paige Bueckers usually impacts the sport in methods the field rating does not present, and we noticed that on Sunday. Having completed her ultimate collegiate profession sport with 17 factors, Bueckers added six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Constant all through her profession, it all the time been the hustle performs and operating the offense. In fact, Bueckers created her personal shot when UConn wanted her manufacturing essentially the most.
Given the Huskies shot poorly from the three-point line (23.6 %), they reverted to a sport plan that was efficient in defeating the Gamecocks. The large three consisting of Bueckers, Robust, and Fudd got here by with a mixed 65 factors, 26 rebounds, 9 rebounds, six steals, and 5 blocks. Discuss a masterpiece.
Making historical past Sunday, Bueckers handed former UConn legend Maya Moore because the third most factors scored in NCAA Event historical past with 477. In accordance with ESPN, the trio of Bueckers, Fudd, and Robust recorded a mixed 100+ factors every on this yr’s NCAA Event. That marks essentially the most since Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Renee Montgomery in 2009.
It Was An Emotional Fairy Story For UConn
Paige Bueckers, a UConn legend pic.twitter.com/Ugfge1KpOT
— UConn Ladies’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 6, 2025
Regardless of accidents to Fudd and Buckers the narrative shortly shifted to “what might have been,” to “how UConnn prevailed.” An inspirational story in all of sports activities, it was about a number of particular person comebacks who got here collectively unselfishly for a typical objective.
With their twelfth tittle, UConn Ladies’s Basketball will proceed to etch themselves deeper into the historical past books. Visibly emotional, coach Auriemma advised ESPN’s Holly Rowe this has been one of the vital sentimental championship victory of all of them. Having entered the season ranked as No.3 by the Related Press, UConn wasn’t all the time the favourite.
“It is as a result of these gamers make me wish to hold in there, Auriemma,”advised Holly Rowe. “They’ve all been gratifying, do not get me unsuitable. However this one right here, due to the best way it took place and what’s been involved- it has been a very long time since I have been that emotional when the gamers walked off the court docket.’
A reasonably inform ending, Paige Bueckers acquired her final curtain name as a Husky, and shared an emotional second with Geno Auriemma on the sidelines. Set to maneuver on to the WNBA because the projected No.1 total decide, Fudd and Robust will proceed to construct their legacy, whereas South Carolina will rebuild alongside Joyce Edwards.
With that, UConn get’s a bakers dozen, and Bueckers now completed her objective she set as a freshman. She’s an NCAA Champion.
Keep tuned for extra NCAA and WNBA associated articles.
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at the moment resides within the Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
