The UConn Huskies dominated the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday in the National Championship Game. They won 82-59. This was a rematch of the title game from 2022 which the Huskies lost 64-49. It is fair to say UConn got their revenge on South Carolina this time.
This is the team’s first championship since 2016. That nine-year gap is the longest since the Huskies won their first title in 1995. Head Coach Geno Auriemma added to one of the best coaching resumes in the history of collegiate athletics. It was the 12th National Title with the Huskies. What did UConn do to pull off a dominant win?
UConn Played a Complete Game
The Huskies played essentially a perfect game to dominate the Gamecocks. Even though UConn has a great offense, they have the best defense in the country. They leaned on that part of their team to secure a blowout win. The Gamecocks were held to an anemic 34.4% from the field and 25% from deep. The last time South Carolina was held to that low a point total was when they lost to the Huskies 87-58 at home on February 16.
UConn also received important contributions from their most important players on offense. Azzi Fudd, the 2025 Most Outstanding Player, became one of six UConn players to score 20+ points in a championship game. She finished with 24 in the win. Freshman Sarah Strong joined her teammate on that list and was the first player in NCAA history to have 20/15/5 in a National Championship. She finished with 24 points, 15 boards, and 5 assists.
The Huskies’ best player, Paige Bueckers, capped off one of the best collegiate careers in recent history. The only hole in her career was a National Championship. She checked that box on Sunday. Bueckers ended her collegiate career with the third-most points in NCAA Tournament history. She is expected to go No. 1 overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft. This storybook ending to a collegiate career led to a tender embrace between Auriemma and Bueckers as she walked off the floor for the final time as a Husky. Auriemma has spoken glowingly about Bueckers during her time in Storrs, Connecticut.
Final Thoughts
The Huskies put together a dominant performance on Sunday against a bitter rival. Auriemma has no plans to retire. UConn, as has been the case for decades, will be a title contender next season. It was a great season for the Huskies. They punctuated it with a dominant game.
