UConn clinches their 12th national title over the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59, thanks to the play of the Huskies trio of Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers.
In a packed arena full of 19,277 cheering fans, UConn clinched their 12th National Championship defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59, a feat that had evaded them for nine years. The historic program last won the title in 2016, led by MVP Breanna Stewart.
This year UConn was led by their dynamic trio that has paved the way for the Huskies all year: freshman forward phenom Sarah Strong, graduate guard Azzi Fudd, and graduate guard Paige Bueckers. Strong, Fudd, and Bueckers combined for 65 of UConn’s 82 points in the win.
Strong had a historic performance scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. She is the only freshman in women’s college basketball history to record those numbers in a championship game. Additionally, Strong joins former UConn Huskies Stewart and Napheesa Collier to record 100+ points, 60+ rebounds, 20+ assists, and 20+ stocks in a single tournament run.
Fudd, was the fuel the Huskies needed as she scored 24 points, but had 13 in the first half, shooting 50% and leading all scorers at that point in the game. As the majority of attention from South Carolina’s defense was spent on Bueckers this left Fudd open to score at will throughout the first and second half. For Fudd’s performance in the game, she was awarded the Most Outstanding Player.
Despite being the focus of the Gamecocks defensive attention, Bueckers had eight points in the first half, and finished the game with 17, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.
This win was especially significant for Bueckers and Fudd, as both have had injury setbacks throughout their careers causing them to miss and sit out of whole seasons and watch their team from the sidelines. Bueckers tore her ACL and missed the 2022-2023 season and Fudd the same injury missing the whole next year, 2023-2024. However, this time the duo were able to hoist the trophy together.
