UConn blows out South Carolina en route to Paige Bueckers' first national title

UConn has reclaimed its place on the women’s college basketball throne. On Sunday, 2-seed UConn defeated 1-seed South Carolina 82-59 to secure the program’s 12th national title.

It was a dominant performance for the Huskies, who only trailed for just over three minutes in the entire game. Freshman Sarah Strong was spectacular in the win, tallying 24 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 10-15 from the field.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one who stepped up in the spotlight. UConn star Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd were also phenomenal, combining for 41 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Although the Huskies ultimately ran away with a comfortable victory, the outcome wasn’t always so obvious. It was a back-and-forth affair early between the two teams, with UConn squeaking out a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Alas, UConn stepped on the gas in the second quarter, finishing the frame on an 11-3 run. UConn kept its foot on the gas in the third period, outscoring South Carolina by 10 points to take a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter.

After going on an 8-0 run early in the final frame, there was nothing left for UConn to do but put the nails in the coffin to emerge with an 82-59 victory. In the win, UConn shot 48% from the field and 24% from beyond the arc.

In contrast, South Carolina couldn’t find a scoring rhythm, shooting 34% from the floor and an even worse 25% from 3-point range. UConn squeezed 11 turnovers out of the Gamecocks while only committing nine itself. In turn, the Huskies scored 14 points off South Carolina’s turnovers.

Tessa Johnson and Joyce Edwards were the only South Carolina players who scored double figures in the loss. This loss is South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley‘s first in a national championship game. She is now 3-1 in national title games.

Head coach Geno Auriemma has been at the helm of the Huskies for all 12 of the program’s national titles. He not only has the most national championships in women’s college basketball history but the most wins, in general.

Auriemma’s national title this season was particularly special. Along the way, the Huskies defeated three 1-seeds in the NCAA Tournament, becoming just the fourth team to ever do so. Additionally, this season is UConn Paige Bueckers’ last one. Now, she’ll move on from the program as both a legend and a champion.