On April 6, 2025, the UConn Huskies captured the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship with a dominant 82–59 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The win gave UConn its 12th national title—the most in NCAA women’s basketball—and marked the program’s first championship since 2016, ending nearly a decade-long wait.
Led by head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies capped off a resilient and high-performing season that began with elevated expectations. The championship game matched two of the sport’s top contenders: No. 2-seeded UConn and No. 1-seeded South Carolina, the defending champions.
UConn’s trio of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and freshman standout Sarah Strong delivered a commanding performance. Fudd led the scoring with 24 points, while Strong added 24 points and 15 rebounds. Bueckers, playing in her final collegiate game, contributed 17 points and received praise from Auriemma for her poise and leadership. “Three players like that on one team—it’s amazing how they complement each other,” he said, visibly moved during the postgame ceremony.
The road to the championship was anything but smooth. UConn entered the season ranked No. 2, powered by the return of Bueckers, the arrival of Strong as the nation’s top recruit, and the addition of Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen. Throughout the season, UConn notched key wins against top-ranked opponents, and while they faced some tough losses, including to Notre Dame and Tennessee, they regrouped and closed the regular season with strong momentum. A key turning point came with a February road win over South Carolina, ending the Gamecocks’ long home winning streak and sending a message to the rest of the nation.
In the NCAA Tournament, UConn was dominant, winning each of its games by double digits and overcoming previous years’ Final Four setbacks to earn a place in Tampa. Their balanced play and smothering defense proved too much for South Carolina in the title game. By halftime, UConn led 44–28, and a 20–5 run in the third quarter put the game out of reach.
South Carolina, led by Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley, struggled to find their rhythm. Known for their deep bench and high-scoring second unit, the Gamecocks couldn’t break through UConn’s defense or match their offensive pace. The defeat ended their bid to go back-to-back as national champions.
The win was met with widespread celebration, both on the court and online. Social media buzzed with tributes to the Huskies and Bueckers, who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Auriemma’s 12th championship win further solidifies his place among the sport’s most accomplished coaches.
The 2025 title not only marks a return to the top for UConn but also highlights the continued rise of women’s basketball. The game aired nationally on ABC, attracting millions of viewers and continuing the trend of growing fan engagement around the women’s tournament.
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