TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Connecticut (UConn) has reclaimed its position at the pinnacle of women's basketball by securing its 12th national championship. In a decisive victory, UConn defeated the defending champions, South Carolina, with a score of 82-59. The standout performance came from Azzi Fudd, who scored an impressive 24 points, while Sarah Strong contributed with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Additionally, Paige Bueckers added 17 points in her final game as a Husky.
Bueckers capped off her remarkable career at UConn, leading the team to its first championship since 2016 and ending a nine-year title drought—the longest for coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies since they won their inaugural championship in 1995, led by the legendary Rebecca Lobo. UConn has a storied history of championship victories, particularly during the early 2000s with stars like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, and later with Maya Moore in 2009-10 and a four-year championship streak from 2013-2016 with Breanna Stewart.
With the win, UConn showcased its formidable talent, particularly in the second half of the game. After leading by 10 points at halftime, the Huskies dominated the third quarter, with Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers combining for 23 of the team’s 26 points. UConn was ahead 50-39 with 3:21 left in the period and finished strong with a 12-3 run, featuring back-to-back three-pointers from Fudd and Strong.
Finally healthy and expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft on April 14, Bueckers delivered consistently for UConn throughout the championship season. Her journey has been marred by injuries, including a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear, as well as an ACL tear in her sophomore year. Despite these setbacks, Bueckers made history as the first freshman to win the AP Player of the Year award, underscoring her talent and resilience.
As the game concluded, Auriemma substituted Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong out with 1:32 left, allowing them to soak in the moment. A heartfelt hug between Bueckers and Auriemma symbolized their shared triumph, with Auriemma finally securing the championship that he deeply desired for Bueckers.
On the other side, South Carolina, under the leadership of coach Dawn Staley, was vying for its third title in four years and a fourth overall. A victory would have tied Staley with Kim Mulkey for the third most championships, trailing only Auriemma and the Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, who boasts eight titles.
UConn’s path back to the championship has been challenging, with the team facing heartbreaking last-second losses in the Final Four during its title drought. Their last title game appearance in 2022 ended with a defeat against South Carolina, marking the beginning of the Gamecocks' successful run. However, the 2023 championship win marks a triumphant return for UConn, solidifying its legacy in women's basketball.
