In a physical encounter that mirrored the high stakes of the Final Four, South Carolina smothers UConn 62-48 to advance to the NCAA title game, snapping the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak in a dominant defensive display on Friday night in Phoenix.
The victory marks a significant shift in the rivalry between two of the most decorated programs in women’s college basketball. While UConn entered the contest undefeated, the Gamecocks utilized a stifling defensive scheme to neutralize the Huskies’ offense, holding them to their worst shooting performance of the season. South Carolina now secures a spot in the championship game for the fourth time in the last five seasons, including a streak of three consecutive appearances.
Ta’Niya Latson led the scoring effort for the Gamecocks with 16 points, while Agot Makeer contributed 14 points. The defensive pressure was relentless, forcing the Huskies into a night of frustration where they struggled to find any rhythm from the perimeter or in the paint.
A Defensive Masterclass in Phoenix
The Gamecocks’ victory was built on a foundation of aggressive, physical play that disrupted UConn’s offensive flow from the opening tip. The Huskies, who had cruised through the Big East and the early rounds of the tournament, appeared rattled by a South Carolina defense that refused to yield. UConn finished the night shooting just 19 for 61 from the field, a dismal 31.1% success rate.
The struggle was evident even for UConn’s primary stars. AP Player of the Year Sarah Strong managed 12 points and 12 rebounds, but she was held to 4 for 16 shooting. Similarly, Azzi Fudd struggled to find her mark, scoring only eight points on 3 of 15 attempts.
| Metric | South Carolina | UConn |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 62 | 48 |
| Field Goal % | — | 31.1% |
| Top Scorer | T. Latson (16) | S. Strong (12) |
| Winning Streak | N/A | Ended (54 games) |
The game remained competitive through the first half, characterized by turnovers and missed opportunities from both sides. UConn held a slim 26-24 lead at the break, but the momentum shifted decisively in the second half. South Carolina went on an 11-0 run in the closing minutes, ensuring the Huskies could not mount a meaningful comeback.
“I thought our players just locked in once we built a little lead,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “We got suggestions from coaches as to should we change our defense, start switching everything. I’m like, No, This represents what is working. Let’s continue to do what’s working.”
Coaching Clash and Sideline Tension
Beyond the statistics, the game was defined by a palpable tension between Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma. The physical nature of the contest peaked in the third quarter when Sarah Strong’s jersey was ripped during a play—an incident Auriemma attributed to South Carolina’s overly aggressive defense, though Strong later dismissed it as an accident.
The friction culminated in a heated exchange as the final seconds ticked away. Auriemma approached Staley on the sideline for a conversation that quickly became animated, with Auriemma pointing to the floor while Staley yelled back. Assistants from both benches were forced to step in and separate the two coaches.
Following the game, Auriemma bypassed the traditional post-game handshake with Staley, walking straight to the tunnel. He later expressed frustration over a perceived breach of protocol before the game, claiming he waited three minutes at halfcourt for a pregame handshake that never happened.
“I’ve been coaching and been to 25 Final Fours,” Auriemma said. “Protocol is we meet at halfcourt, two coaches meet at halfcourt and shake hands. They announce it on the loudspeaker, waited there for three minutes.”
Staley, however, maintained that she had acted with professionalism. “I have no idea,” Staley said regarding the exchange. “But I’m gonna let you know this, I’m of integrity. I’m of integrity. So if I did something wrong, to Geno, I had no idea what I did. I guess he thought I didn’t shake his hand at the beginning of the game. I didn’t know. I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff’s hand.”
Meeting the Moment
For South Carolina, the win was as much about mental toughness as it was about tactical execution. The Gamecocks entered the game with a memory of last season’s title game, where UConn had routed them 82-59 to claim their 12th national championship. They had also suffered a convincing loss to the Huskies during the 2024-25 regular season.
Ta’Niya Latson revealed that Staley used that history to motivate the team during the halftime break. “Coach was pretty mad going into the half,” Latson said. “She was yelling ‘Meet the moment! Meet the moment!’ We couldn’t be scared to play on this stage, especially against UConn. I mean, they were undefeated.”
The result was a performance that left UConn (38-1) without a title for the third consecutive time they entered the Final Four undefeated. It was the fewest points the Huskies had scored since a 49-point loss to South Carolina in the 2022 championship game.
The atmosphere in the arena was heightened by a star-studded crowd. Former greats like Diana Taurasi and Paige Bueckers were in attendance, along with Aliyah Boston, who was seen sitting next to entertainer Flavor Flav, a noted supporter of women’s college basketball.
South Carolina now turns its attention to Sunday, where they will face UCLA in the national championship game. The Gamecocks will be fighting for their fourth national title, looking to cap off a dominant March Madness run with a trophy.
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