The drought is over! Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd, and Paige Bueckers lead the way for UConn as the Huskies blow out South Carolina by 82-59 to win their first championship since 2016.
UConn Ends Title Drought in Style: Strong, Fudd, and Bueckers Deliver Championship Glory
The UConn Huskies have won 12 titles, an NCAA college basketball record, and they did so in a dominant fashion.
Strong, Fudd, and Bueckers combined for 65 points, 26 rebounds, and nine assists.
Strong was the game’s best player. She had 24 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks. Strong showcased why she is the best freshman in the country and has the potential to be the best player in the country.
The freshman of the year has scored 114 points in the NCAA tournament. That is the most points scored by a freshman ever during the tournament in D1 history.
Fudd has now played against South Carolina twice for a national championship. The first time, she only scored three points in that game. Today, she had 24.
Fudd has battled injuries throughout her career, but she has been able to come back and contribute significantly to UConn. Her contributions made her the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Bueckers’s17 points today propelled her to third place on the all-time scoring list in tournament history.
Bueckers did not have her most outstanding game of the tournament, but her imprint was all over this game. From her defensive attention to gravity, she commands on the floor, opening up the floor for her teammates.
ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked the All-American post-game what this championship meant to her, and she said, “Unreal. I have so much gratitude for what this program means to me. I can’t even put into words what is happening now.”
Bueckers’ college career ends, but she goes out with the one thing she has been missing: a National Championship!
Geno Auriemma has been the gold standard for coaching women’s basketball over his tenure, but it has been a while since he has held the trophy.
This was the longest time between championships for the coach since he won their first championship.
When superstar Bueckers left the floor, coach Auriemma and Bueckers embraced for about a minute, both highly emotional.
Holly Rowe asked him post-game about this embrace and what he had to say to her, and he said that all he said was, “I love you.”
This season was led by the big three: Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers. It ended with those three putting on a show on the biggest stage.
KEEP READING: Women’s Basketball Programs With the Most National Championship Wins
Bueckers is set to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Coach Auriemma convinced Fudd to return to UConn for a final season, and Strong is just a freshman for the Huskies.
Though this team is losing a superstar, they will still be a force in the women’s college game next season.
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