The UConn Huskies are once again atop the college basketball world, securing their 12th NCAA women’s basketball championship with a dominant 82-59 victory over defending champion South Carolina. The game, held on Sunday in Tampa, Florida, marked the end of a nine-year title drought for the storied program. Behind standout performances from Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers, the Huskies clinched their first national title since 2016, bringing joy to their loyal fan base and their legendary head coach, Geno Auriemma.
UConn’s Road to Redemption
For UConn, this championship victory was particularly sweet, marking the end of a long wait since their last title in 2016. This was the longest championship drought for Auriemma’s team since their first title in 1995, and it came after several heart-wrenching near-misses in the Final Four. Auriemma, one of the most decorated coaches in NCAA history, saw his team fall short in several heartbreaking losses in recent years, including a tough defeat to South Carolina in last year’s title game. But on Sunday, everything fell into place, and the Huskies proved they were back on top.
Azzi Fudd was the standout performer for UConn in the championship game, scoring 24 points and delivering a series of clutch shots that helped the Huskies pull away in the second half. Sarah Strong also had a monster game, adding 24 points and 15 rebounds, while the iconic Paige Bueckers, who has battled injuries throughout her career, contributed 17 points in what could very well have been her final game at UConn.
Bueckers’ Triumphant Return
For Bueckers, this victory was the crowning achievement of an already extraordinary career. The talented guard had been the first freshman in history to win the AP Player of the Year, but her college journey was marred by a series of injuries, including a devastating ACL tear. She missed much of her sophomore season with a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear, then tore her ACL once again, throwing her future into question.
But with her final season at UConn, Bueckers returned to form and played a key role in the Huskies’ championship run. Auriemma’s desire to give Bueckers the championship she had so badly deserved was clear throughout the game, and the two shared an emotional moment when Bueckers was subbed out late in the game, her championship dreams finally realized.
“It was such an honor to get to tell this story,” Bueckers said, reflecting on the journey. “This is everything I wanted for myself and my team.”
A Second-Half Surge Seals the Deal
After leading by 10 points at halftime, UConn came out in the third quarter with an explosive performance that put the game out of reach for South Carolina. Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers combined to score 23 of the team’s 26 points in the third quarter, and the Huskies’ 12-3 run late in the period essentially sealed their fate as national champions. The Gamecocks, despite their efforts, had no answer for UConn’s intensity and execution, and as the game wore on, the Huskies’ dominance became undeniable.
South Carolina, under head coach Dawn Staley, had been gunning for their third national title in four years, and their fourth overall. A victory would have tied Staley with legendary coaches Kim Mulkey and Pat Summitt for the third-most NCAA women’s basketball championships in history. But UConn’s defensive and offensive execution proved too much for the Gamecocks, and despite strong efforts from key players like Aliyah Boston, South Carolina simply couldn’t keep up.
The Huskies’ Resilience
For UConn, this victory represents more than just another championship. It’s a testament to their resilience, having navigated through years of adversity, including the heartbreaking buzzer-beaters that eliminated them in recent Final Four appearances. The 2022 national championship game, in which South Carolina defeated UConn to begin their current reign, marked the end of Auriemma’s perfect record in title games.
This year’s title is a redemption story for both Auriemma and the program, which has long been known for its dominance in women’s college basketball. The victory also signals the continued strength of the UConn women’s program, with players like Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers leading the charge and continuing to set the bar for excellence in college hoops.
UConn’s Legacy in Women’s Basketball
The 82-59 victory over South Carolina is a fitting end to a season in which UConn proved they were once again the team to beat in women’s college basketball. With 12 national championships to their name, the Huskies continue to lead the pack in terms of both success and tradition in women’s sports. The team has produced countless iconic players and coaches, from Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi to Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart, each of whom was in attendance in Florida to witness the Huskies’ latest triumph.
As for Bueckers, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, her time at UConn has come full circle. After a college career that was filled with both triumph and heartache, Bueckers is now poised to take the next step in her professional career. But for one final time, she left the court as a national champion — the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and sheer talent.
With their 12th national championship, UConn has reasserted itself as the dominant force in women’s college basketball. For coach Geno Auriemma and his talented roster, this title is more than just another trophy — it represents a journey back to greatness, a hard-fought battle that ended with a triumphant return to the top of the women’s basketball world. The Huskies’ 82-59 win over South Carolina will go down as one of the defining moments in the history of the program, and for Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers, it’s a legacy that will last forever.