TAMPA, Fla. – UConn came into the NCAA Tournament with arguably the biggest upside of any team, and that was realized on Sunday as the Huskies capped the season with their 12th NCAA championship.
The Huskies, led by stellar performances from guard Azzi Fudd and post Sarah Strong, defeated South Carolina 82-59 to win the title, denying the Gamecocks their back-to-back title bid. Fudd led the game with 24 points and shot 9-for-17 from the field, while the freshman Strong had 24 as well, adding 15 rebounds.
Advertisement
UConn got a stellar performance from both of them while South Carolina focused much of its defensive scheme on stopping Paige Bueckers. Bueckers, the expected No. 1 pick in April’s WNBA Draft, had just 17 points and six rebounds but didn’t have to force much with Fudd and Strong taking over the game. That is why UConn has been so good this year — the Huskies have a counter for every defense.
As for South Carolina, the Gamecocks had no answer on the defensive end and couldn’t find an offensive playmaker to break down the UConn defense. South Carolina was led by Tessa Johnson and Joyce Edwards, who each had 10 points. But this will be a question that Dawn Staley has to answer next season — where will she find more consistent scoring?
With 1:32 left in the game, Bueckers checked out for the final time, hugged coach Geno Auriemma and cried as they were on the verge of the title. It was their last game together, but they went out the exact way they were always hoping when Bueckers committed to Auriemma in 2019.
It is UConn’s 12th national championship, which not only adds to the Huskies’ record for the most of any women’s program in NCAA history but also breaks a tie with the UCLA men’s program, which won 10 of its 11 championships under legendary coach John Wooden.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma hugs star Paige Bueckers in the fourth quarter of their victory over South Carolina on Sunday in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
Bueckers going out on top, a fitting end to her adversity-filled career
Bueckers came to UConn hoping to win a national title, but her career didn’t go as planned. She dealt with recovery from an ACL injury and some NCAA Tournament heartbreak, including losing in last year’s Final Four to Iowa.
This year, though, she seemed destined to finish off her run with a national championship and did.
Bueckers didn’t have to do all of the scoring, especially with how dominant Strong and Fudd were in the Final Four, but her presence and efficiency were on full display.
Advertisement
She scored 33 points in both games, with five assists.
She’s been one of the faces of women’s college basketball since she stepped onto campus in Storrs, Connecticut, and will now leave at the top of the game.
Paige Bueckers ends her collegiate career with the third-most points in women’s NCAA Tournament history. pic.twitter.com/tx91ynR4dK
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 6, 2025
Lack of scoring costs Gamecocks
The Gamecocks were not overmatched early on against UConn.
In fact, South Carolina trailed by just three points with 5:59 left in the second quarter.
The problem was the lack of consistent offense for the Gamecocks. After cutting the lead to three points in the second quarter, South Carolina went nearly five minutes without scoring again and then trailed by eight points. From there, UConn took over.
South Carolina went down 12 to start the third quarter and was never able to get enough scoring to cut into the lead as UConn took the lead up over 20 points and beyond.
South Carolina, which made its fifth straight Final Four, will be back, but it will need to add some scoring this offseason to get back on top.
(Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Referees missed foul on Luka Doncic late in Lakers’ Game 4 loss, NBA confirms
<!--> Referees missed the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic getting fouled with 33 seconds left in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA said Monday.The Lakers were down 114-113 in Sunday's game when Doncic got tripped up — it appeared to be inadvertent — by Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels near midcourt. Doncic retained possession as he hit the floor and the Lakers called time-out to avoid an 8-second violation.That was one of two uncalled fouls that came late in one-point playoff games on Sunday, the other being New York’s Josh Hart fouling Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. on a 3-point try as time expired in Game 4 of that series. Hardaway didn't get free throws and the Knicks won that game 94-93, with the NBA saying shortly after that game that Hardaway indeed was fouled."McDaniels ... steps […]
Liverpool make history, Lisa Carlin chats NWSL’s new 2nd division & Wrexham earn promotion AGAIN!
Subscribe to The CooligansChristian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to Liverpool clinching their 20th English league title, tied for the most of all-time. How did Arne Slot get it all so right in his first season at the helm?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChristian and Alexis chat with CBS Sports’ Lisa Carlin about NWSL adding a 2nd division and why it might not be a good idea. They also react to Eni Aluko’s recent comments about Ian Wright and recap an entertaining Women’s Champions League semi-finals.Later, Christian and Alexis break down Wrexham’s third promotion in a row. The boys then argue whether it could be hard for the club to earn the ultimate promotion to the Premier League.(6:00) - Liverpool clinch 20th league title(16:00) - Barcelona win Copa Del Rey(30:30) - Lisa Carlin joins the show(38:00) - NWSL to introduce 2nd division in 2026AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement(44:45) - […]
Mets’ Brandon Nimmo ties franchise record with 9 RBIs
WASHINGTON — In the New York Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, outfielder Brandon Nimmo tied the franchise’s single-game record with nine RBIs.Nimmo went 4-for-5 with two home runs — a grand slam and a three-run home run — and four runs.For his career, it was Nimmo’s second grand slam and his seventh game with multiple home runs.AdvertisementIn 2008, Carlos Delgado had nine RBIs in a game against the New York Yankees.Nimmo became the 13th player in MLB history to record four hits, four runs and nine RBIs in a game. 9 RBI GAME FOR BRANDON NIMMO!!! He ties a #Mets franchise record! pic.twitter.com/gjYSRn5wWC — New York Mets (@Mets) April 28, 2025Indeed, Nimmo broke out of a major slump with the best offensive game of his career.Over his previous 12 games, Nimmo was hitting just 149. Over his […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Related
Referees missed foul on Luka Doncic late in Lakers’ Game 4 loss, NBA confirms
<!--> Referees missed the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic getting fouled with 33 seconds left in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA said Monday.The Lakers were down 114-113 in Sunday's game when Doncic got tripped up — it appeared to be inadvertent — by Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels near midcourt. Doncic retained possession as he hit the floor and the Lakers called time-out to avoid an 8-second violation.That was one of two uncalled fouls that came late in one-point playoff games on Sunday, the other being New York’s Josh Hart fouling Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. on a 3-point try as time expired in Game 4 of that series. Hardaway didn't get free throws and the Knicks won that game 94-93, with the NBA saying shortly after that game that Hardaway indeed was fouled."McDaniels ... steps […]
Liverpool make history, Lisa Carlin chats NWSL’s new 2nd division & Wrexham earn promotion AGAIN!
Subscribe to The CooligansChristian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to Liverpool clinching their 20th English league title, tied for the most of all-time. How did Arne Slot get it all so right in his first season at the helm?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChristian and Alexis chat with CBS Sports’ Lisa Carlin about NWSL adding a 2nd division and why it might not be a good idea. They also react to Eni Aluko’s recent comments about Ian Wright and recap an entertaining Women’s Champions League semi-finals.Later, Christian and Alexis break down Wrexham’s third promotion in a row. The boys then argue whether it could be hard for the club to earn the ultimate promotion to the Premier League.(6:00) - Liverpool clinch 20th league title(16:00) - Barcelona win Copa Del Rey(30:30) - Lisa Carlin joins the show(38:00) - NWSL to introduce 2nd division in 2026AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement(44:45) - […]
Mets’ Brandon Nimmo ties franchise record with 9 RBIs
WASHINGTON — In the New York Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, outfielder Brandon Nimmo tied the franchise’s single-game record with nine RBIs.Nimmo went 4-for-5 with two home runs — a grand slam and a three-run home run — and four runs.For his career, it was Nimmo’s second grand slam and his seventh game with multiple home runs.AdvertisementIn 2008, Carlos Delgado had nine RBIs in a game against the New York Yankees.Nimmo became the 13th player in MLB history to record four hits, four runs and nine RBIs in a game. 9 RBI GAME FOR BRANDON NIMMO!!! He ties a #Mets franchise record! pic.twitter.com/gjYSRn5wWC — New York Mets (@Mets) April 28, 2025Indeed, Nimmo broke out of a major slump with the best offensive game of his career.Over his previous 12 games, Nimmo was hitting just 149. Over his […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Be the first to leave a comment