PHOENIX — In a gripping Final Four semifinal that echoed with the sting of last season's defeat, the South Carolina Gamecocks delivered a decisive revenge victory over the undefeated UConn Huskies, winning 62-48 on Friday night. The triumph propels South Carolina into Sunday's national championship game, where they will face the winner of the matchup between fellow top seeds UCLA and Texas. For the Gamecocks, who have now claimed national titles in 2017, 2022, and 2024, this victory positions them one win away from a fourth championship under coach Dawn Staley, a feat that would place her among the elite company of Geno Auriemma with 12 titles, Pat Summitt with eight, and Kim Mulkey with four.
The game, played at State Farm Stadium here in Phoenix, marked the end of UConn's remarkable 54-game winning streak that stretched back to the previous season and dashed their hopes for back-to-back national titles. According to reports from ESPN, this was the third time Auriemma has guided an undefeated UConn team to the Final Four only to fall short of the ultimate prize. South Carolina's path to this point had been dominant, with their first four NCAA tournament victories coming by margins of at least 25 points each, resulting in a cumulative point differential of 161 — the largest ever for an SEC team in the tournament and the fourth-highest by any squad in history.
Yet Friday's contest proved far more challenging than those earlier romps. The Gamecocks controlled much of the first half, building a lead before UConn clawed back to take a slim 26-24 advantage into halftime. Emerging from the locker room with renewed fire, South Carolina unleashed a 16-4 run to start the second half, seizing control of the game and never relinquishing it. The Huskies stayed close, pulling within one point late in the third quarter on a flurry of three straight 3-pointers, but the Gamecocks responded with poise, as Tessa Johnson capped the period with four consecutive points to provide some breathing room.
In the fourth quarter, South Carolina methodically extended their lead, turning a two-point edge into a double-digit cushion with 1:45 remaining on the clock. They clamped down defensively in the final stretch, limiting UConn to just four points over the last 6:37 of play. On the boards, the Gamecocks outrebounded the Huskies 47-32, a key factor in controlling the tempo and second-chance opportunities. UConn shot a dismal 31% from the field, their worst performance in recent memory, and were held under 50 points for the first time since their 2022 national championship loss to — ironically — South Carolina.
This marked UConn's lowest scoring output in a Final Four game and their fourth double-digit defeat at this stage of the tournament. For South Carolina, the win was a testament to the offseason motivation that coach Staley instilled in her team. During summer workouts, the scoreboard from their 2025 national title game loss to UConn — an 82-59 thrashing — was prominently displayed on gym screens as a constant reminder. That defeat, according to ESPN coverage, fueled the Gamecocks' drive to return to the Final Four and rewrite the narrative.
Freshman sensation Agot Makeer emerged as a standout for South Carolina, pouring in 14 points off the bench in a performance that highlighted her breakout tournament run. Makeer has now scored in double figures in every game of the NCAA tournament, a stark contrast to her regular season where she achieved that mark only three times. Joining her in double-digit scoring were Ta'Niya Latson with 16 points, Joyce Edwards with 11, and Tessa Johnson with 10, showcasing the depth that has defined this Gamecocks squad.
UConn, entering the game with sky-high expectations after an unbeaten regular season and tournament run, struggled to find rhythm against South Carolina's suffocating defense. The Huskies' inability to generate efficient offense was evident from the opening tip, as they managed just 26 points in the first half despite their late surge. Reports indicate that UConn's coaching staff emphasized adjustments at halftime, but the Gamecocks' early third-quarter surge quelled any momentum, leaving the Huskies chasing the game for the remainder.
The backdrop to this matchup added layers of intrigue. South Carolina's program, under Staley's guidance since 2008, has evolved into a perennial powerhouse, with three titles already in hand and a roster blending veteran leadership with emerging talents like Makeer. UConn, synonymous with women's basketball dominance under Auriemma since the 1980s, had been on a tear, but this loss underscores the parity growing in the sport. The 2025 title game defeat for South Carolina had been a low point, but it galvanized the team, much like past setbacks have for both programs.
Looking back, UConn's last loss to South Carolina in the 2022 championship mirrored some elements of Friday's game, with the Gamecocks' physicality and rebounding proving decisive. That victory was part of a pattern; South Carolina has now beaten UConn in three of their last four meetings in high-stakes games. Auriemma, in post-game reflections noted in ESPN reports, acknowledged the challenge, though specific comments from him were not detailed in initial coverage. Staley, known for her motivational tactics, reportedly used the loss as a rallying cry, telling her players during workouts that the only way to erase the pain was to face it head-on again.
The Final Four atmosphere in Phoenix was electric, with fans from across the country filling the stadium under the desert sun. South Carolina's supporters, clad in garnet and black, erupted as the final buzzer sounded, while UConn's loyal following departed stunned. This upset not only avenged last year's heartbreak but also highlighted the Gamecocks' resilience after a tournament where they had cruised through early rounds. Their +161 point differential prior to the semifinals spoke to their dominance, but it was the grit in this closer battle that will be remembered.
As South Carolina prepares for the championship, the focus shifts to their opponent. UCLA and Texas, both No. 1 seeds, tip off their semifinal later Friday, promising another clash of titans. The winner will face a battle-tested Gamecocks team riding high on momentum. For Staley, a fourth title would cement her legacy further, joining an exclusive club of coaches who have achieved such sustained excellence in women's college basketball.
UConn's season, though ending in disappointment, was one for the ages, with 54 straight wins and a bid for history cut short. Auriemma's teams have 12 national championships to their credit, but this loss serves as a reminder of the sport's increasing competitiveness. Players from both sides showed sportsmanship post-game, with handshakes and mutual respect evident despite the rivalry's intensity.
Beyond the court, this victory carries broader implications for women's basketball. South Carolina's success under Staley has inspired a new generation, particularly in the SEC where the Gamecocks lead the way. The tournament's expansion and rising viewership underscore the growing popularity, with games like this drawing national attention. As the championship looms, all eyes will be on how South Carolina channels this win into their next challenge.
In the end, Friday's game was more than a semifinal; it was redemption realized. South Carolina's methodical dismantling of UConn sets the stage for what could be another crowning moment in Phoenix. With the confetti still fresh in their minds, the Gamecocks turn their attention to Sunday, one step from basketball immortality.