Crowns on, Queens! The UConn Huskies are champions again!
In a game packed with fire, flair, and one unforgettable performance, UConn wins the womenโs NCAA championship in dominant fashion, thrashing South Carolina 82-59 and reclaiming their spot atop the college basketball throne.
The star of the night? Azzi Fudd, the comeback queen who rose from injury heartbreak to title game hero. Her performance wasnโt just greatโit was historic, and it sealed UConnโs 12th national title, adding another jewel to the crown of the most decorated dynasty in womenโs hoops.
โWeโre back,โ said a beaming Fudd, clutching the Final Fourโs Most Outstanding Player trophy. โAnd Iโm just getting started.โ
Fudd Is Fabulous: The Championship MVP Shines
Letโs talk numbers:
- 24 points
- 9-for-17 from the field
- 5 rebounds
- 3 steals
- 1 unforgettable moment
It wasnโt just about the stat sheetโit was the energy. The emotion. The redemption.
Just a year ago, Fudd was watching March Madness from the sidelines, her knee wrapped in braces, her dreams deferred. This year? She owned the court.
โThey taught me everything,โ Fudd said, gesturing to her proud parents in the crowd. โTo be here, in front of them, with this teamโฆ I have no words.โ
Her momโs shirt? A viral sensation. It read: โFUDD AROUND AND FIND OUT.โ
South Carolina didโand they found out.
Big Three Show Out: Strong, Bueckers, and Fudd = Untouchable
While Fudd lit up the scoreboard, she wasnโt alone. UConnโs Big Three came to play:
? Sarah Strong:
- 24 points
- 15 rebounds
- Absolute force in the paint
? Paige Bueckers:
- 17 points in her final UConn game
- Leadership, poise, and pure skill
Together, the trio was unstoppable. They were clicking on every level, pushing the pace, making plays, and leaving South Carolina in the dust.
โWe came here to finish what we started,โ said Bueckers, who now heads to the WNBA. โThis is how you go outโwith a championship.โ
Huskies Dominate From Start to Finish
This wasnโt just a win. It was a statement.
UConn raced out early and never looked back. They shot with confidence, defended like maniacs, and made South Carolinaโs top-tier offense look helpless.
- UConn led by 10 at halftime
- Extended to a 20-point lead by the third
- South Carolina never got within single digits again
The Gamecocks had no answer for UConnโs pace, pressure, and precision. It was a clinic.
Redemption Run: Fuddโs Comeback Season
Azzi Fuddโs road to the title was anything but smooth.
- Torn meniscus
- ACL injury
- Two games played last season
- Months of rehab
- Critics wondering if sheโd ever be the same
Well, hereโs your answer.
Fudd not only returnedโshe posted career-high shooting numbers, including 47.2% from the field and a blazing 44.6% from three.
And when she scored 15+ points this season? UConn went 26-1.
The Stats Speak: UConnโs Historic Record
Letโs take a moment to appreciate the bigger picture.
- ? 12th national title
- ? Most in NCAA womenโs history
- ? 68-8 record when Fudd plays
- ? 12th Final Four appearance under Geno Auriemma since 2000
โSheโs the player we knew she could be,โ said Coach Auriemma. โAnd tonight, she was unstoppable.โ
South Carolina Stumbles, But Future Is Bright
Letโs not forget the other side of the story.
South Carolina came in looking for back-to-back titles and their fourth championship in four years. But UConn had other plans.
The Gamecocks shot poorly, struggled defensively, and simply couldnโt match UConnโs firepower.
โWe gave it everything,โ said head coach Dawn Staley. โBut we lost to a very good basketball team.โ
Despite the loss, South Carolinaโs future looks promising:
- Freshman Joyce Edwards (12.7 PPG) will be back
- Rising stars MiLaysia Fulwiley and Chloe Kitts are only getting better
- Top recruits like Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell join next year
- Injured star Ashlyn Watkins is on the mend and expected to return
Mark it down: the Gamecocks will be back.
Bueckers Bows Out a Champion
In her final game as a Husky, Paige Bueckers delivered once again.
- 17 points
- Lockdown defense
- Veteran leadership
She didnโt win the individual awards this time aroundโbut she got what matters most: a national title.
โThis is the best moment of my life,โ she said after the game, tears in her eyes. โI couldnโt imagine a better ending.โ
The Dynasty Lives On
UConnโs dominance isnโt a fluke. Itโs a legacy.
Since 1995, theyโve set the gold standard in womenโs basketball. With 12 titles, dozens of All-Americans, and more WNBA stars than any other school, the Huskies are college basketball royalty.
And now, with Fudd returning for another year, the dynasty looks more dangerous than ever.
โWeโre not done,โ Fudd said with a smile. โSee you next season.โ
Championship Celebration: Pure Madness
- Confetti rained down
- Fudd danced on the logo
- Fans screamed โLetโs go, Huskies!โ
- Bueckers hugged her teammates and waved goodbye
And then, as the trophy was raised, UConn fans everywhere erupted.
โWeโre back on top,โ one fan shouted. โAnd this time, weโre staying there.โ
UConn Wins Womenโs NCAA Championship and Reclaims the Crown
UConn wins womenโs NCAA championship in dominating fashion, but this was more than a gameโit was a redemption story, a comeback tale, and a crowning moment for a new era led by Azzi Fudd.
- ? Fudd returns from injury to win MOP
- ? Bueckers exits as a legend
- ? Strong proves sheโs the next big thing
- ? Geno adds another jewel to his coaching crown
And with Fudd back next year?
You better believe the dynasty isnโt done yet.
