Uconn Game Today: South Carolina Ends UConn’s Perfect Run in Phoenix
PHOENIX — uconn game today turned into a stunning Final Four collapse on Friday night as South Carolina beat UConn 62-48 and snapped the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak. Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 points and Agot Makeer added 14 as the Gamecocks used stifling defense to take control and move on to the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game. The loss ended UConn’s unbeaten postseason march and set up South Carolina for another chance at the title on Sunday.
South Carolina Takes Control Late
The game was tight early in the second half, with South Carolina leading 46-44 a few minutes into the third quarter. Then the Gamecocks scored five straight points, capped by Makeer’s 3-pointer, and pushed the lead to seven.
UConn briefly answered when Sarah Strong hit a 3-pointer to make it 51-47 with 4: 39 left. But South Carolina closed with 11 straight points, while the Huskies did not score again until Strong made a free throw with 30. 8 seconds remaining. South Carolina’s defense held UConn to 19 for 61 shooting, a season-worst 31. 1 percent.
uconn game today Turns Into A Frustrating Night
UConn’s top scoring duo never found a rhythm. Strong finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds on 4 of 16 shooting, while Azzi Fudd scored eight points on 3 of 15 shooting, including 2 of 9 from long range. The 48 points were UConn’s lowest output since a 49-point loss to South Carolina in the 2022 national championship game.
The Huskies entered the Final Four undefeated for the ninth time in school history and left without a title for the third straight time. UConn also lost in the 2017 and 2018 national semifinals.
Coaches Clash After Final Seconds
The closing moments grew heated after UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed anger over the officiating during a live TV interview and then had an argument with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in the final seconds. Assistants stepped between them before the game ended, and Auriemma left the court without shaking hands with the Gamecocks.
Auriemma said there were six fouls called in one quarter, all against UConn, and argued that his team was being beaten down inside. He also said he was frustrated by what he saw as a missed call on a ripped jersey. The exchange added another layer of tension to a game that already carried the weight of a rematch.
What This Means Next
South Carolina, now 38-3, advances to face UCLA, which beat Texas 51-44 to reach the national championship game for the first time. Dawn Staley will be going for her fourth NCAA championship on Sunday.
For UConn, the result leaves another painful ending after a season that had stayed perfect until Friday night. The final score made the message clear in Phoenix: in uconn game today, South Carolina owned the moment from the third quarter on.
