UConn Dominates UCLA 85-51 to Reach NCAA Championship/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UConn steamrolled UCLA 85-51 in the NCAA Women’s Final Four, powered by standout performances from Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. Paige Bueckers added 16 points, putting UConn just one win away from its 12th national title. The Huskies will face South Carolina in a much-anticipated championship showdown.
UConn Dominates UCLA to Reach NCAA Championship – Quick Looks
- Sarah Strong scored 22 points, Azzi Fudd added 19, all in the first half
- Paige Bueckers contributed 16 points, ending a run of 30+ point games
- UConn heads to its first national title game since 2016, seeking its 12th championship
- Defending champs South Carolina await in a title rematch from 2022
- UConn set a new record for margin of victory in the Final Four or title game
- Lauren Betts scored 26 for UCLA, but lacked team support
- UCLA’s dream season ends in first NCAA Final Four appearance
- The Bruins were trying to be the first Big Ten team to win since 1999
UConn Dominates UCLA 85-51 to Reach NCAA Championship
Deep Look
TAMPA, Fla. — The UConn Huskies are back where they belong — on the brink of another national championship. With Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd delivering dominant performances, and Paige Bueckers providing veteran poise, the No. 2 seed Huskies obliterated top-seeded UCLA 85-51 in Friday’s Final Four matchup.
Fudd, who has battled multiple injuries during her college career, exploded with 19 first-half points, sparking UConn to a 20-point lead by halftime. Strong, a freshman phenom, added 22 points, showcasing why she’s the future of UConn basketball.
“It’s just so much fun to watch her play with joy and be at this stage,” Bueckers said of Fudd. “It means everything to us.”
Despite not needing to carry the offensive load, Bueckers chipped in 16 points, just enough to keep the Huskies in control while staying fresh for Sunday’s national championship game.
A Complete Performance
UConn (36-3) set a program record for margin of victory in a Final Four or championship game, breaking its previous record from a 33-point win over Louisville in 2013.
The Huskies outclassed UCLA in every facet — shooting, defense, rebounding, and hustle plays. Head coach Geno Auriemma, chasing his 12th title, credited his team’s composure and consistency.
“We aren’t worried about the past,” Bueckers said. “Every single day you walk into the gym and live up to the standard of playing UConn basketball.”
The win sets up a blockbuster rematch against undefeated South Carolina, the defending champion. The Gamecocks beat Texas 74-57 earlier Friday to secure their spot. UConn handed South Carolina its worst loss of the season in February — a stunning 29-point road win.
“They’ve played at an exceptionally high level,” Auriemma said of South Carolina. “But so have we.”
UCLA’s Run Ends
Lauren Betts scored 26 points for UCLA (34-3), but the rest of the team struggled to keep pace. The Bruins, in their first NCAA Final Four, couldn’t match UConn’s firepower or intensity. They entered the game with only two losses — both to USC — and had set a program record with 23 straight wins, including a Big Ten Tournament championship in their first season in the conference.
UCLA was hoping to become the first Big Ten school to win a women’s title since Purdue in 1999.
“We’ve obviously gone to new heights this year,” said UCLA coach Cori Close. “But we’ve got to let the pain of this teach us to go to new heights next year.”
The Bruins were led by underclassmen and have no seniors, offering a silver lining and a strong chance to return deeper and better in 2026.
Championship on the Line
With Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong clicking, UConn now faces a national championship showdown with No. 1 South Carolina — a team with unfinished business of its own. It’s a rematch of the 2022 title game, which South Carolina won handily, 64-49.
This time, the Huskies are healthy, confident, and laser-focused on ending their eight-year championship drought — the program’s longest since its first title in 1995.
“We want to make the legends proud,” Bueckers said. “But this is our time now.”
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