South Carolina stuns UConn
South Carolina ended UConn’s 54‑game winning streak with a defensive, low‑scoring 62‑48 semifinal that sends the Gamecocks to the national title game — a big pivot from UConn’s dominance and a revenge story for South Carolina after last year’s loss. The win featured Ta’Niya Latson’s 16 points and Agot Makeer’s 14, and it underlines coach Dawn Staley’s run — this will be South Carolina’s fourth NCAA final in five years. (apnews.com) (youtube.com)
South Carolina stopped UConn’s 54‑game winning streak with a 62–48 semifinal shocker in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. (apnews.com) (usnews.com) The score flattens the drama: the Gamecocks held the Huskies to 48 points, their fewest in years, and controlled the glass and tempo for much of the night. (espn.com) South Carolina’s plan was straightforward and relentless: smother UConn’s best creators with pressure on ball and body, force contested shots, and convert at the line. (espn.com) On a night when Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong — UConn’s main scorers — could not find rhythm, they combined to shoot poorly, and UConn finished well below its usual field‑goal rate. (espn.com) Two players carried South Carolina’s offense. Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and freshman Agot Makeer added 14 points; Latson’s free‑throw shooting late sealed several short possessions. (usatoday.com) Defensively, Joyce Edwards and Raven Johnson took the toughest assignments and lived in the passing lanes; their pressure turned UConn’s movement — usually precise and patient — into hesitation and turnovers. (espn.com) The result reads as revenge: UConn had beaten South Carolina 82–59 in last year’s national championship, a game South Carolina referenced all season as motivation. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) Beyond the scoreboard, the semifinal carried a personal edge. Coaches Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma, two of the sport’s most storied leaders, exchanged heated words after the game — a physical echo of how much was riding on this rematch. (yahoo.com) (sports.yahoo.com) This win also keeps a recent pattern intact for Staley’s program: South Carolina is back in the title game again, marking its fourth appearance in the championship window across five seasons. (apnews.com) Tactically, the game is a reminder that even the most dominant offenses can be disassembled by disciplined defense, rebounding and by taking the open shots the other team won’t allow. (espn.com) The immediate consequence is simple and concrete: South Carolina will face UCLA for the national championship on Sunday, April 5, with tipoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in Phoenix. (espn.com)
