South Carolina smothers UConn 62-48 to advance to NCAA Women's National title game, snaps Huskies’ 54-game win streak
CLEVELAND — The national title crown is officially up for grabs.
Defending champion UConn saw its 54-game winning streak come to a halt Friday night as South Carolina rolled to a 62–48 victory in the Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Arena. The Gamecocks, who lost to the Huskies in last year’s title game, will now play for their fourth national championship under coach Dawn Staley.
The semifinal wasn’t without drama. With just 0.1 seconds left, Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma exchanged words at halfcourt. Staley repeatedly told him, “Don’t do that!” before Auriemma walked off without shaking hands.
“I’m of integrity,” Staley said afterward. “If I did something wrong, I didn’t know. Sometimes things get heated — we move on.”
Auriemma offered little explanation: “Nothing… I said what I had to say.”
The tension may have stemmed from a major foul disparity: UConn was whistled for 17 fouls to South Carolina’s eight. The Gamecocks went 18-for-22 at the free-throw line while UConn attempted only six.
On the court, South Carolina’s defense overwhelmed the Huskies. UConn stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd were held to just 20 combined points on 7-for-31 shooting. Strong, frustrated after a miss, tore her jersey and finished the game wearing No. 55.
For South Carolina, Ta'Niya Latson powered the offense with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double. Agot Makeer added 14 points and Joyce Edwards chipped in 11 and eight rebounds.
“Coach Staley instilled belief in us,” Latson said. “We had to play South Carolina basketball — and we did.”
Staley praised her team and brushed aside the late-game confrontation.
“I’m super proud of our kids,” she said. “I’m not going to let any incident take away from what they did on the floor.”
0 Comments