South Carolina Ends UConn's 54-Game Winning Streak in Final Four
South Carolina defeated UConn 62-48 in the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four, ending the Huskies' 54-game winning streak and advancing to the national championship game.
South Carolina defeated the University of Connecticut 62-48 in the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four on Friday, ending UConn's 54-game winning streak and advancing to the national championship game.
The Gamecocks' defense limited the Huskies to 31.1% shooting from the field. UConn's leading scorer, Sarah Strong, was held to 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson led all scorers with 16 points, while Agot Makeer added 14 points.
The victory marks South Carolina's fourth appearance in the national championship game in the past five seasons. They will face the winner of the Texas vs. UCLA semifinal in the title game.
Postgame tensions arose when UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley engaged in a heated exchange. Auriemma expressed frustration over a missed pregame handshake and the physical nature of the game, including an incident where Sarah Strong's jersey was ripped.
Despite the loss, UConn's players emphasized the importance of handling defeat with grace. Coach Auriemma reminded his team of the program's history of winning with class and dignity, stating, "We have won so much that I think we know how to win... But the true test is how you handle yourself in this moment."