UConn Claims 2025 NCAA Title, Defeats South Carolina 82-59

TAMPA, Fla. — The UConn Huskies captured the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 on April 6 at Amalie Arena. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong each scored 24 points to lead the Huskies, while Paige Bueckers contributed 17 points in her final college game.

The championship matchup started competitively, as both teams exchanged baskets for the first five minutes. However, South Carolina’s offense struggled toward the end of the first quarter, allowing UConn to take a 19-14 lead.

Fudd was instrumental in the opening period, scoring seven of UConn’s first 17 points. Despite South Carolina’s attempts to stay in the game during the second quarter, the Huskies proved too difficult to contain.

“We executed our game plan well and really focused on our defense,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said after the game. “When our shots are falling and we play tough defense, we can be tough to beat.”

South Carolina, under head coach Dawn Staley, faced significant challenges, including two lengthy scoring droughts of over five minutes in the first half. The Gamecocks went into halftime trailing 36-26.

The second half saw UConn pull ahead significantly. At one point, they led by 32 points as South Carolina struggled to find momentum. UConn dominated key statistical categories, including rebounds (43-28), points in the paint (40-24), and committed fewer turnovers (11 to South Carolina’s 17).

Although South Carolina finished the season with a 35-4 record, the Gamecocks could not overcome the persistent pressure from the Huskies in the championship game.

“We had a great season, but we fell short today, and that’s all we can think about now,” Staley said. “We will learn from this and come back stronger.”