South Carolina returns to NCAA women’s title game, gets rematch of 2022 vs. Bueckers and UConn
S.C. dumps Texas 74-57, UConn rolls past UCLA 85-51 in Final Four semifinals
By FRED GOODALL, Associated Press
Published: April 4, 2025, 9:28pm
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South Carolina guard Bree Hall (23), forward Chloe Kitts (21) and forward Sania Feagin (20) react late in the second half of a national semifinal Final Four game against Texas during the women's NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
TAMPA, Fla. — The journey has been more challenging than usual, but Dawn Staley and defending national champion South Carolina are still getting the job done.
“Nothing that happened prior to here is going to help us on Sunday. Nothing,” Staley said. “Saying that we’re undefeated in national championships games — I wish it helped. I wish it would spot us 10 points because we’re undefeated. I’d feel really good about that.”
Coach Geno Auriemma’s Huskies traveled to Columbia, S.C., in the regular season and dominated the Gamecocks, winning 87-58 on Feb. 16.
This is the seventh time the Associated Press preseason No. 1 and No. 2 teams will play in the women’s NCAA championship game. South Carolina beat UConn in the 2022 title game after the teams began that season ranked 1-2.
“They’ve played basketball at an exceptionally high level when you think about the Final Fours they’ve been too and the consistency in their program,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “The ability to win national championships multiple times and (they) are in a position to win back-to-back ones.”
The No. 1 preseason team is 6-0 in the previous title games against the preseason No. 2. The Huskies’ Paige Bueckers will try to end that streak as she seeks a national title, the only prize left in a remarkable collegiate career. UConn’s loss to South Carolina in 2022 concluded an injury-marred sophomore season for Bueckers, who is expected to be the top overall pick in the WNBA draft.
South Carolina enters its third title game in four years coming off its best all-around performance of this tournament and is trying to become the first program to repeat as national champion since Auriemma led UConn to four straight titles from 2013-2016.
Unlike previous title-winning teams led by Staley, South Carolina has endured a difficult run to the title game. Her resilient squad lacks superstars but finds ways to win.
Following double-digit victories over Tennessee Tech and Indiana in the first two rounds, the Gamecocks won close games against No. 4 seed Maryland and No. 2 seed Duke in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.
They started slowly again Friday night, took their first lead early in the second quarter and wore down Texas after halftime.
The bench, led by freshman Joyce Edwards, once again sparked the Gamecocks. South Carolina’s reserves scored 35 points against the Longhorns, with Edwards finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
UConn, appearing in its record 24th Final Four, advanced to the title game for the 13th time. The Huskies have won a record 11 national titles.
