South Carolina, UConn Clinch Spots in Women’s National Championship

South Carolina and UConn Set Up Title Rematch After Dominant Final Four Victories

Tampa, FL – The stage is set for a highly anticipated national championship showdown as the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks and the powerhouse UConn Huskies both cruised to decisive victories in Friday night’s women’s Final Four.

Defending champions South Carolina overcame an early deficit to ultimately overpower the Texas Longhorns 74-57 in the first semifinal matchup. Despite a strong start from Texas, who jumped out to a 12-4 lead fueled by SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, the Gamecocks quickly asserted their dominance. South Carolina outscored the Longhorns in the remaining three quarters, showcasing a balanced offensive attack with 10 players contributing to the scoring. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao led the way with 14 points, while freshman forward Joyce Edwards provided a spark off the bench with 13.

However, it was South Carolina’s stifling defense that truly dictated the game. They held Texas to just 39.3% shooting from the field and forced 14 turnovers. Booker, after her initial flurry, struggled for the remainder of the contest, finishing with just 11 points, one rebound, and no assists. This victory propels Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks to their third national championship game appearance in the last four seasons, as she seeks her fourth title since 2017.

Awaiting South Carolina in Sunday’s final will be the UConn Huskies, who delivered a statement performance in their semifinal against the UCLA Bruins, securing an emphatic 85-51 win. Connecticut’s defense set the tone early, utilizing a zone that thoroughly disrupted the Bruins’ offense. UCLA center Lauren Betts was the lone bright spot for her team, scoring 26 points, but the Bruins as a whole shot just 38.5% and committed 19 turnovers.

The Huskies’ offense was equally impressive, with multiple players enjoying standout nights. Senior guard Azzi Fudd was on fire, pouring in 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Freshman forward Sarah Strong also had a stellar performance, adding 22 points. Even with a relatively quiet 16-point outing from senior star Paige Bueckers, UConn’s dominance was undeniable.

UCLA struggled to find any rhythm on either end of the court, unable to match Connecticut’s intensity. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise strong season for the Bruins.

The upcoming championship game will be a rematch of the 2022 final, where South Carolina defeated UConn. The Huskies, who haven’t won a national title since 2016, will be eager to avenge that loss and claim their first championship in three years.