UConn Wins 12th NCAA Title, Beats South Carolina 82-59

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UConn Wins 12th NCAA Title, Beats South Carolina 82-59/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UConn reclaimed its place atop women’s college basketball with a dominant 82-59 win over defending champion South Carolina, earning its 12th NCAA title. Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong powered the Huskies to their first championship since 2016. The victory capped a storybook season for coach Geno Auriemma and his resilient squad.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma holds up the championship trophy after UConn defeated South Carolina in the national championship game at the Final Four of the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

UConn Reclaims NCAA Women’s Title: Quick Looks

UConn defeats South Carolina 82-59 to win its 12th championship.
Azzi Fudd named Final Four Most Outstanding Player with 24 points.
Sarah Strong posts 24 points, 15 rebounds; Bueckers adds 17 points.
Title marks UConn’s first since 2016, ending a nine-year drought.
Coach Geno Auriemma becomes oldest major college coach to win a title.
Paige Bueckers caps comeback-filled career before entering WNBA Draft.
UConn’s trio sets NCAA Tournament record with 368 combined points.
South Carolina misses chance at third title in four years.
Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley calls UConn “a very good team.”

UConn players celebrate during the second half of the national championship game against South Carolina at the Final Four of the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

UConn Wins 12th NCAA Title, Beats South Carolina 82-59

Deep Look

UConn Dominates South Carolina to Capture 12th NCAA Women’s Championship

UConn returned to the pinnacle of women’s college basketball Sunday night, overwhelming defending champion South Carolina 82-59 to capture the program’s 12th national title. Behind standout performances from Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers, the Huskies cemented a triumphant comeback story under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.

The win marked UConn’s first NCAA championship since 2016 and ended the longest title drought of Auriemma’s tenure. The victory was especially meaningful for Auriemma and Bueckers, who shared an emotional embrace after the star guard exited her final collegiate game with just over a minute remaining.

“They’ve all been gratifying, don’t get me wrong,” Auriemma said. “But this one here… it’s been a long time since I’ve been that emotional when a player walked off the court.”

UConn’s latest title was built on the dominant play of its trio of stars. Fudd, named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scored 24 points. Strong added a powerful double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Bueckers, projected as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, scored 17 points to round out her resilient, injury-plagued career.

Together, they powered UConn (37-3) through a demanding season, peaking with an explosive performance on college basketball’s biggest stage.

“To have three players like that on one team—it’s rare,” said Auriemma, now the oldest coach in Division I basketball history to win a championship at age 71. “They all complement each other so well.”

Resilience Rewarded

For Bueckers, the title was a long-awaited crowning moment. After becoming the first freshman to win AP Player of the Year, she missed significant time in her sophomore year due to a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear. She then sat out another full season after tearing her ACL.

“It’s been a story of resilience, gratitude, and overcoming adversity,” Bueckers said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

The Huskies led 36-26 at halftime and pulled away decisively in the third quarter. Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers combined for 23 of UConn’s 26 third-quarter points, including back-to-back three-pointers that extended the lead to 62-42. Auriemma subbed the trio out with 1:32 left as the celebration began.

A Historic Run

UConn’s trio made history in the tournament, scoring a combined 368 points—setting an NCAA Tournament record for any three teammates, men’s or women’s. Strong alone scored 114 points, the most ever by a freshman in tournament history.

That effort surpassed previous records held by iconic groups, including Tennessee’s 1998 trio of Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings, and Semeka Randell (363 points), and Michigan’s 1989 men’s trio led by Glen Rice (366 points).

“Sarah plays with a maturity beyond her years,” Auriemma said. “It’s hard to believe she’s just a freshman.”

South Carolina Falls Short

South Carolina, seeking its third national title in four years, struggled to match UConn’s firepower. The Gamecocks had handed UConn a title-game loss in 2022, ending Auriemma’s perfect 11-0 record in championship appearances.

“Our kids gave it everything,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “We lost to a very good basketball team.”

The loss denied Staley a fourth national title, which would have tied her with LSU’s Kim Mulkey for third all-time behind Auriemma and the late Pat Summitt.

A Legacy Extended

UConn’s win adds to a championship legacy that began in 1995 and includes dominant eras led by Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart. All four were in attendance in Tampa to witness the latest generation of Huskies etch their names into program lore.

After years of close calls and Final Four heartbreaks—including buzzer-beater losses in recent seasons—UConn reclaimed the throne with authority.

“You never know if you’ll be back in this situation again,” Auriemma said. “There were so many times when we questioned if it was time… but these players make me want to keep going.”

Now, with a 12th championship secured and the torch passed to a new generation, UConn’s dynasty remains as strong as ever.