South Carolina Gamecocks beat undefeated Huskies, go to national title game

The South Carolina Gamecocks ended the UConn Huskies' undefeated season with a 62-48 win in the Final Four. This means the Gamecocks will play for the championship.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The South Carolina Gamecocks have shattered the unbeaten streak of the UConn Huskies, defeating them 62-48 in a national semifinal match. This pivotal victory propels South Carolina to their third consecutive national title game, where they are slated to face fellow No. 1 seed UCLA. The game, played on Friday evening, saw a defensive effort from South Carolina that seemingly strangled UConn's typically high-powered offense.

The Gamecocks' defensive strategy appeared to be a direct response to their prior encounters with UConn. > "If you didn't have disruption, and consistent disruption, you allow them to play as freely as they want to play and shoot as freely as they shoot, they're very efficient and very, very good," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was quoted as saying, referencing lessons learned from past UConn offensive performances. This approach manifested in the Gamecocks limiting UConn's scoring opportunities and forcing a different tempo than the Huskies were accustomed to.

Read More: UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Angry About Referee Calls in Loss to South Carolina

S.C., fueled by '25 loss, upsets undefeated UConn - 1

While the score was tied 15-15 at the end of the first quarter, South Carolina established a more significant lead by the close of the third, ahead 44-39. The Gamecocks also demonstrated a physical advantage, outrebounding UConn 24-16, with a notable 10 offensive rebounds contributing to their scoring opportunities. UConn's previously undefeated 38-0 season has now come to a definitive end at this crucial juncture.

Following the game's conclusion, UConn coach Geno Auriemma was observed walking off the floor without shaking hands with Staley or the South Carolina staff, sparking a reported sideline interaction where assistants attempted to mediate. Auriemma later characterized their relationship as merely that of rivals, though he also stated he had "a tremendous amount of respect" for Staley. He also alluded to a heated sideline exchange with Staley during the game.

Read More: UConn Coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley have angry talk after Final Four game on Friday

The championship game between South Carolina and UCLA is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. South Carolina, last year's runner-up, now has an opportunity to secure the national title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the UConn Huskies on Friday?
The South Carolina Gamecocks won against the UConn Huskies with a score of 62-48. They played strong defense to stop UConn's offense and took advantage of scoring chances.
Q: What does this mean for the South Carolina Gamecocks' season?
By beating the Huskies, the Gamecocks have reached their third straight national title game. They will play UCLA for the championship on Sunday.
Q: Did the UConn Huskies finish their season undefeated?
No, the UConn Huskies did not finish their season undefeated. They lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four, ending their 38-0 record.
Q: What happened between the coaches after the game?
UConn coach Geno Auriemma did not shake hands with the South Carolina staff after the game. He later said he had respect for the other coach but there was a heated exchange during the game.
Q: When is the national championship game?
The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The South Carolina Gamecocks will play against UCLA.