In a clash of college basketball titans, the South Carolina Gamecocks asserted their dominance with an 87–75 victory over the UConn Huskies to win the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. The April 6 showdown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was a high-intensity affair, but South Carolina’s composure and defensive grit proved too much for Geno Auriemma’s Huskies.
From the opening tip, the Gamecocks made it clear they came to finish what they started. With a suffocating defense and relentless rebounding, they jumped out to an early lead, stifling UConn’s offense and forcing tough shots. Kamilla Cardoso led the charge in the paint, anchoring the defense while also contributing key points down low.
UConn’s Paige Bueckers kept her team within striking distance, showcasing her trademark shot-making and leadership. But each time the Huskies looked poised for a comeback, South Carolina responded with a timely three or a clutch defensive stop. Raven Johnson’s floor leadership and Te-Hina Paopao’s perimeter shooting helped the Gamecocks maintain control throughout.
The Gamecocks went into halftime with a 10-point lead and never looked back. UConn showed flashes of brilliance in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to six at one point, but turnovers and second-chance points tilted momentum back in South Carolina’s favor. The physicality and depth of Staley’s squad ultimately wore down the Huskies.
With the final buzzer, South Carolina completed a perfect 38–0 season, etching their names in history as one of the few teams to finish undefeated while claiming the national title. It was a testament to the culture and consistency that Staley has built in Columbia—a program now synonymous with excellence.
As confetti rained down, Kamilla Cardoso was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, capping off a career-defining performance. For UConn, the loss marked another missed opportunity, but with Bueckers returning next season, their championship hopes remain very much alive.
