The Huskies fall 62-48 in the Final Four, marking a disappointing end to a stellar run.
Category: Sports
UConn’s perfect season came to an abrupt end on Friday night as the Huskies fell to the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks, 62-48, in the Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The loss eliminated UConn from the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and marked the end of a remarkable 38-1 season.
South Carolina showcased its dominance throughout the game, effectively shutting down UConn’s star players. Sarah Strong managed to score 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to propel her team to victory. Azzi Fudd, in her final collegiate game, struggled significantly, finishing with just eight points on 3-of-15 shooting. Ashlynn Shade contributed 10 points, but the team was clearly outmatched.
The Gamecocks controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Huskies 47-32, including a 14-9 advantage on the offensive glass. They also dominated in the paint, scoring 34 points compared to UConn’s 20. South Carolina was more effective at the free-throw line, converting 18 of 22 attempts, whereas UConn only managed to hit 4 of 6.
The game began with UConn taking an early lead, going up 11-4 midway through the first quarter. Williams sparked the scoring with four consecutive points, followed by back-to-back baskets from Strong. But South Carolina quickly flipped the momentum, closing the first quarter with an 11-4 run to tie the game at 15.
In the second quarter, UConn hit a cold spell, failing to score for the first four minutes, which allowed South Carolina to build a five-point lead. The Huskies fought back, scoring 10 of the next 12 points to regain a 26-24 lead at halftime.
After the break, South Carolina unleashed a 12-2 run, establishing an eight-point lead—the largest deficit UConn had faced all season. The Huskies struggled offensively, scoring only four points in the first 7:28 of the third quarter. Just when it seemed they were finished, UConn mounted a comeback with a 9-0 run led by three consecutive three-pointers from Heckel, Quiñonez, and Fudd, narrowing the gap to just one point at 40-39.
Unfortunately for UConn, South Carolina responded with four points of their own to end the third quarter leading 44-39. The final quarter saw the Huskies attempt to claw back, cutting the deficit to two points, but South Carolina quickly pushed it back to seven. UConn's hopes faded as they allowed an 11-0 run from the Gamecocks, sealing their fate.
This defeat marks the third time UConn has seen an undefeated season end in the national semifinal, following similar outcomes in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. The Huskies, who were aiming to repeat as national champions, will now have to regroup for next season.
In a tense moment post-game, a confrontation occurred between UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in the handshake line, requiring separation by their respective coaching staffs. Auriemma opted not to go through the second handshake line, leaving the court with his team.
UConn’s season may have ended in disappointment, but the Huskies have set a high standard in women’s college basketball with their impressive record and competitive spirit. As they look to the future, the lessons learned from this season will undoubtedly shape their approach moving forward.