South Carolina NCAA Championship Hopes Alive After Dominating Final Four

The stage is officially set.

On Sunday afternoon, two of the biggest names in women’s college basketball will meet once again—South Carolina and UConn, a rivalry that now has more meaning than ever. After dominating performances in the Final Four, both teams are one win away from claiming the 2025 national championship.

And if this all feels familiar, you’re not imagining it.

This is a rematch of the 2022 title game, when South Carolina rolled past UConn 64-49 to win it all. But this year’s meeting is more than just a sequel—it’s personal. UConn remembers that loss well. And with a newer, more dynamic team, they’re back with revenge on their minds.

How UConn Got Here: A Statement Win Over No. 1 UCLA

UConn didn’t just beat UCLA on Friday night—they dismantled them.

From the opening tip, the Huskies were locked in. Azzi Fudd set the tone early, scoring 19 points—all in the first half—and helping UConn build a massive 20-point halftime lead. Her shooting was effortless, her confidence sky-high.

“Azzi was just on fire,” UConn guard Paige Bueckers said postgame. “When she gets in that zone, we’re almost unbeatable.”

But the story didn’t end there. Enter freshman sensation Sarah Strong, who took over in the second half. She dropped 14 points after the break and finished with 22 overall, showing poise and polish well beyond her age.

Meanwhile, Bueckers wasn’t flashy, but she did what stars do—quietly pile up stats and make winning plays. She ended the night with 16 points, five rebounds, and a handful of highlight-reel assists, including a no-look dime to Kaitlyn Chen that had the crowd buzzing.

UConn’s defense also deserves major credit. UCLA’s offense, which had been sharp all season, fell apart. Outside of standout center Lauren Betts, who scored 26, the rest of the Bruins couldn’t get anything going. As a team, UCLA shot just 26% outside the paint and had 19 turnovers.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a message. UConn is back—and they’re hungry.

South Carolina’s Grit and Depth Take Down Texas

Earlier on Friday, South Carolina faced a tough, gritty Texas squad. And for a while, it looked like the Longhorns might have the upper hand.

Texas jumped out to an early lead, capitalizing on some sloppy offense from the Gamecocks. Madison Booker, Texas’ All-American freshman, hit her first three shots and looked locked in. But foul trouble changed everything. She picked up two early fouls, then a crucial third just before halftime, forcing her to the bench.

That’s when South Carolina flipped the switch.

Led by freshman Joyce Edwards, the Gamecocks started chipping away. Edwards was everywhere—scoring, rebounding, facilitating. She finished with 13 points, 11 boards, and six assists in what was easily her best game of the tournament.

And then came the bench.

MiLaysia Fulwiley, Tessa Johnson, and the rest of South Carolina’s reserves poured in 35 points, completely overwhelming Texas in the second half. It was the kind of all-hands-on-deck performance that has defined this Gamecocks team all year.

By the end of the third quarter, South Carolina had built a 14-point lead and never looked back.

Head coach Dawn Staley couldn’t help but smile afterward. “Our depth is our strength,” she said. “When we play like this—when everyone contributes—it’s hard to beat us.”

Source: Women’s Final Four: How UConn, South Carolina reached title game

Freshman Faceoff: Sarah Strong vs. Joyce Edwards

With all due respect to the veterans, Sunday’s title game might come down to two players who weren’t even in college this time last year.

Sarah Strong and Joyce Edwards are both freshmen, but they’ve been playing like seasoned pros. And their head-to-head battle could end up being the most exciting storyline of the final.

Strong’s size, shooting range, and court vision make her a nightmare matchup. Against UCLA, she looked like the second coming of Breanna Stewart—smooth, confident, unstoppable. She became only the third freshman in UConn history to score 20+ points in a Final Four game, joining legends Maya Moore and Stewart.

Edwards, on the other hand, is a force of nature. Her ability to impact the game on both ends—whether it’s grabbing a key rebound, finding an open teammate, or locking down a scorer—makes her invaluable. After a few quiet games earlier in the tournament, she broke out against Texas in a big way.

These two already faced off once this season, back in February when UConn destroyed South Carolina 87-58. In that game, Strong had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Edwards had 17 and 5.

But a lot has changed since then. Both players have grown. And both will be ready for the spotlight on Sunday.

What to Watch in the Title Game

This game has all the ingredients of a classic: blue-blood programs, elite coaching, future WNBA stars, and unfinished business.

For UConn to win, they’ll need their “big three”—Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong—to show up big once again. They’ll also need to control the tempo, limit turnovers, and knock down shots early. Their defense will need to lock in, especially on South Carolina’s bench scorers.

South Carolina’s keys? Defense, rebounding, and depth. They’ll need their bench to match what they did against Texas, and they’ll need to slow down UConn’s guards, especially Fudd, who torched them earlier this season. Bree Hall will likely draw that assignment, and her ability to disrupt Fudd’s rhythm could swing the outcome.

One underrated factor? Experience. While UConn is loaded with talent, South Carolina’s core has been here before. They’ve played in the biggest games, under the brightest lights, and they’ve delivered. That kind of experience doesn’t show up in the box score—but it matters.

One Game. One Title. One Legacy.

UConn has never lost twice in a row to the same team in the national title game. But they’ve also never faced a South Carolina team quite like this—deep, disciplined, and relentless.

South Carolina, meanwhile, is chasing history. A win would give them their third title in four years and officially stamp their place as the new dynasty in women’s hoops.

Who will rise? Who will stumble? One thing’s for sure—Sunday’s game is can’t-miss.

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