The UConn Huskies are again on high of the basketball world! Defeating South Carolina 82-59 within the NCAA Nationwide Championship recreation, 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 another trophy to their profitable show.
Knocking off Tennessee and the late Pat Summitt within the early 2000s, UConn stands on the high 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 goals 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 might be NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
Nicely performed, Paige Bueckers and this whole staff. What a season. pic.twitter.com/oaD3htawYn
— Meghan L. Corridor (@ItsMeghanLHall) April 6, 2025
The Huskies secretly had been the favorites all alongside. Shedding stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd in years previous as a result of accidents was heartbreaking. Regardless of being dealt a nasty deck of playing cards, the Huskies have managed to seem in two Ultimate 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 high WNBA prospect Paige Bueckers, what mattered most was ending the aim. The emphasis was on perseverance and willpower. Though accidents are sadly a part of the sport, UConn confirmed the nation the facility 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. A whole masterclass by the Huskies, UConn by no means appeared again after Te-Hina Paopao’s three-pointer to leap begin the sport. With a 19-12 commanding first quarter lead, the Huskies saved their foot on the fuel. UConn’s Championship Protection Was Key
Fascinating 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 had 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 12 months lengthy. Exhibiting no mercy in the direction of her gamers, Staley admits it is a studying curve that can finally encourage the group.
“I hope they’re crying, I hope they’re boo-hooing,” mentioned Staley put up recreation. “From crying and having emotion about dropping makes you’re employed just a little bit tougher within the off season. Makes you have 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 chunk for the Gamecocks. Though having gained the offensive rebound battle, UConn freshman Sarah Sturdy was a drive 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 is not 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 had been restricted to a mixed 4 factors. UConn’s defensive effort proven on Sunday ought to be proven to all younger athletes studying the sport of basketball. After all, it wasn’t only one stand out participant. Sarah Sturdy, Azzi Fudd, and Ashlynn Shade every recorded 2+ steals.
The Story has been the protection, nonetheless let’s speak concerning the offense. 82 factors wasn’t shocking, since UConn averaged 87.2 event factors heading into Sunday’s Championship matchup.
With Sarah Sturdy and Azzi Fudd main the Huskies with 24 factors a chunk, Sturdy 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 as a result of 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 courtroom, 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 recreation. Regardless of their efforts, it was all Sarah Sturdy and Fudd within the third quarter. With a powerful two-player recreation, the 2 mixed for 20 third quarter factors. The within recreation and fouls had been an excessive amount of for South Carolina.
Each participant on the Huskies roster noticed enjoying time, which is extraordinary in a championship recreation. Scoring six of her 9 factors within the closing 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 potential to swiftly assault downhill was spectacular. A defensive menace, Arnold completed with 9 factors, and three assists. Alfy, who’s mother and father 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 unbelievable to observe you construct your legacy! @paigebueckers is the 2021 John R. Wood Award® Winner – the primary freshman to ever win the Ladies’s Award! pic.twitter.com/hJoPNGly0Z
— John R. Wood Award (@WoodenAward) April 7, 2025
Paige Bueckers typically impacts the sport in methods the field rating does not present, and we noticed that on Sunday. Having completed her closing collegiate profession recreation with 17 factors, Bueckers added six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Constant all through her profession, it at all times been the hustle performs and operating the offense. After all, Bueckers created her personal shot when UConn wanted her manufacturing probably the most.
Given the Huskies shot poorly from the three-point line (23.6 %), they reverted to a recreation plan that was efficient in defeating the Gamecocks. The massive three consisting of Bueckers, Sturdy, 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. Based on ESPN, the trio of Bueckers, Fudd, and Sturdy recorded a mixed 100+ factors every on this 12 months’s NCAA Event. That marks probably 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 rapidly shifted to “what may 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 aim.
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 sentimental championship victory of all of them. Having entered the season ranked as No.3 by the Related Press, UConn wasn’t at all times the favourite.
“It is as a result of these gamers make me wish to dangle in there, Auriemma,”advised Holly Rowe. “They’ve all been gratifying, do not get me mistaken. 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 courtroom.’
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 general choose, Fudd and Sturdy 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 achieved her aim 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 present resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
