Gamecocks ground huskies, snap historic winning streak
Phoenix, AZ – The South Carolina Gamecocks delivered a stunning defensive performance Friday night, dismantling the UConn Huskies 62-48 and ending their nation-best 54-game winning streak. A result that reverberates through the women's NCAA Tournament, sending South Carolina to the championship game and leaving UConn reeling from their first loss since 2023.
A defensive masterclass
What began as a potentially high-scoring affair, given both teams’ offensive prowess, devolved into a defensive battle of wills. South Carolina, led by Ta'Niya Latson's 16 points and Agot Makeer's 14, simply suffocated the Huskies, holding them to their fewest points since a 2022 national championship loss to the Gamecocks.
UConn, a perennial powerhouse entering the Final Four for the ninth time in school history, found no answers against South Carolina's relentless pressure. AP Player of the Year Sarah Strong, typically a dominant force, was held to just 12 points on a dismal 4-for-16 shooting performance, a stark illustration of South Carolina’s defensive strategy. Azzi Fudd fared even worse, connecting on just 3 of 15 shots.
The turning point
Trailing by a single point at halftime (26-24), South Carolina ignited the third quarter with a decisive 12-2 run. A critical stretch saw Agot Makeer drill a clutch 3-pointer, extending the Gamecocks’ lead to seven points and shifting the momentum irrevocably. UConn attempted a comeback, fueled by a trio of consecutive 3-pointers, but South Carolina consistently responded, ultimately building a commanding lead.
But there was more than just defense at play. The post-game handshake exchange between UConn coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley became a surprisingly tense moment, with a lengthy, animated discussion and a noticeable lack of cordiality as the final buzzer sounded. Auriemma, visibly frustrated, bypassed a handshake and headed directly to the tunnel, the awkward exchange adding a layer of intrigue to an already significant victory for the Gamecocks.
Looking ahead
South Carolina (36-3) now awaits the winner of Sunday’s semifinal matchup between Texas and UCLA, seeking their fourth national championship in the last decade. UConn (38-1), meanwhile, departs Phoenix with a bitter taste, having lost in the national semifinals for the third time in four years. The Gamecocks' victory isn't just about ending a streak; it’s about staking a claim as the new force in women’s college basketball, and setting the stage for what promises to be a captivating championship game.