TAMPA, FL. – The UConn Huskies defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the national championship, 82-59, to win their first national championship since 2016. Although the Gamecocks attempted to claw back into the game, the Huskies closed out the game thanks to a key third-quarter run. After years of watching other teams cut down the nets for nearly 10 years, UConn finally returned to their winning ways in Tampa.
The game started close and competitive, with UConn taking an early 19-14 lead. After a great game last round against UCLA, Azzi Fudd (A-Zee Fuhd) scored seven points in the opening period. She finished with 24 points, winning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Paige Bueckers (BECK-ers) scored four of her 17 points in the game and was a key part of their tremendous second half. The Gamecocks were led by Chloe Kitts, and her four points in the quarter. As both teams failed to gain a firm edge in the first period, they continued to battle as both teams went into the locker room.
In the second quarter, the Huskies opened up the deficit against 10 their opposition, 36-26. Freshman phenom Sarah Strong finished the first half with eight points and 11 rebounds, showcasing her ability to crash the glass. She finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds in the win. Joyce Edwards had a good half off the bench for South Carolina, scoring five of her 10 points, while adding two rebounds and one assist. Already ahead by double digits, UConn increased its lead to put the nail in the coffin thanks to a massive third quarter.
The third quarter ended with the Huskies up 62-42, all but confirming their national championship win. Fudd scored 11 points in the period, which played a huge role in their win. Sophomore guard Ashlynn Shade scored one point in the quarter, but she commented on the message in the locker room before the start of the half that sealed the deal for UConn.
“We have 20 minutes left to play, and we’re just gonna keep playing the way we’re playing,” Shade said after the win. “Even more so, bringing it up a level knowing that they could come back and knowing we have to keep that door closed.”
The Huskies stuck to what worked in the second half, and it helped them secure a blowout win. Fudd’s performance in the third helped secure the win, and this isn’t the first time she stepped up for her team in this tournament. In the Final Four, she scored a combined 43 points over two games, which were key in the final steps in UConn’s championship run. The Huskies winning the championship meant a lot to many of their players for different reasons. Redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy experienced her first national championship in front of her family, who flew from Egypt to support her. After gaining national recognition, many fans wanted to meet the parents of El Alfy. When asked what seeing them get the attention meant to her, she emotionally expressed how grateful she is that they got to watch her win a championship.
“(My parents) deserve it,” El Alfy said. “I would’ve never imagined that they would be here right now with me, and supporting me in the biggest moment of my life. It means everything.”
UConn won its 12th championship in program history, but it had a long drought of nine seasons since its last one (2016). As they return to the mountaintop of college basketball this season, they’ll look to stay there for the foreseeable future.
