UConn has reclaimed its throne in women's basketball, clinching its 12th national championship by decisively defeating the defending champions, South Carolina, with a score of 82-59 on Sunday. This victory marks the end of a nine-year title drought for the Huskies, a team that has long been synonymous with excellence in the sport.
Leading the charge for UConn was Azzi Fudd, who scored an impressive 24 points. Sarah Strong also made a significant contribution, adding 24 points along with 15 rebounds. Paige Bueckers, in her final game with the Huskies, chipped in 17 points, helping the team finish the season with a remarkable record of 37-3.
Bueckers concluded her illustrious career at UConn by securing the program's first championship since 2016. This victory is particularly meaningful for head coach Geno Auriemma, as it represents the longest gap between titles since the team won its inaugural championship in 1995, led by the legendary Rebecca Lobo.
Throughout the years, UConn has enjoyed a series of dominant championship runs, particularly in the early 2000s with stars like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, and again from 2009-10 with Maya Moore. The team also achieved an impressive four consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016, led by Breanna Stewart. All of these former players were present in Florida on Sunday to witness the Huskies' latest triumph.
Finally healthy, Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft on April 14. She played a pivotal role for the Huskies throughout their championship season, a fitting end to a career that was marred by injuries. Bueckers made history as the first freshman to win the AP Player of the Year award, but her journey was interrupted by a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear that sidelined her for much of her sophomore season. She then faced another setback with an ACL tear before the following season.
UConn entered halftime with a 10-point lead and solidified their dominance in the third quarter, thanks to the efforts of Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers. The trio combined for 23 of the team's 26 points in that quarter, pushing the score to 50-39 with just over three minutes left in the period. They closed out the quarter with a 12-3 run, effectively sealing the game.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Fudd and Strong hit back-to-back three-pointers, igniting a scoring spree. Auriemma made the strategic decision to substitute Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong out of the game with 1:32 remaining, allowing them to bask in the moment. A heartfelt hug between Bueckers and Auriemma on the sideline symbolized the culmination of their shared journey toward this long-awaited championship.
On the other side, South Carolina, coached by Dawn Staley, was aiming for its third title in four years and fourth overall. A victory would have tied Staley with Kim Mulkey for the third-most championships, trailing only Auriemma and the legendary Pat Summitt, who boasts eight titles.
UConn's path to the championship game had been challenging, with the team only reaching the title match once during their drought since 2016. The Huskies faced heartbreaking last-second losses in the Final Four, including a buzzer-beater that eliminated them in 2022, marking the beginning of South Carolina's current success and ending Auriemma's perfect record in title games.
The game kicked off at a rapid pace, with both teams exchanging baskets in the early minutes. However, as the defenses tightened, UConn managed to take a 19-14 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended that advantage to 36-26 by halftime. Fudd led the charge with 13 points, while Strong contributed eight points and 11 rebounds, setting the stage for a memorable championship victory.
