Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks stunned Geno Auriemma’s undefeated uconn vs south carolina showdown Friday, winning 62-48 to snap UConn’s 54-game winning streak and advance to Sunday’s NCAA championship against UCLA-Texas winner—freshman Agot Makeer’s 14-point bench explosion and Tessa Johnson’s clutch plays fueled epic revenge for 2025’s 82-59 finals rout.
That history between the two teams made it even more dramatic. South Carolina spent the offseason looking at those screens of the loss, and it fueled their grind. This time, they flipped the script completely, holding UConn under 50 points for the first time since 2022. Staley already has three titles from 2017, 22, and 24, and shes chasing that elite status with coaches like Auriemma who has 12, or Summitt with eight. For Auriemma, this was his third heartbreak in an undefeated Final Four run.
The first half felt like a real tug of war. In the first quarter, South Carolina led most of the way, but UConn edged ahead 26-24 at halftime. Then early in the second, the Gamecocks went on this 16-4 run that took control, and they never trailed after about eight minutes into that quarter. The third got exciting when UConn hit three straight threes to cut it to one point, but Tessa Johnson responded with four quick points to close it out.
By the fourth quarter, South Carolina just sealed it. They turned a two-point lead into double digits with under two minutes left, and in the last six minutes or so, UConn only scored four points total. Rebounds were a big edge for them, 47 to 32, and UConns shooting was rough at 31 percent, their worst in a Final Four game. It was UConns lowest score ever in this stage too, and their fourth double-digit loss there.
Some players really stood out for South Carolina. Like Agot Makeer, the freshman off the bench, she had 14 points and has been getting double-doubles in every tournament game. TaNiya Latson added 16, Joyce Edwards 11, and Tessa Johnson with 10 plus those clutch moments in the third. UConn got stifled overall, which has not happened to them like this in a while.
Looking at the bigger picture, South Carolinas tournament run has been dominant, with at least 25 point wins in their first four games and a total differential of 161 points, which sets a SEC Final Four record. UConns streak is over now, and Auriemmas perfect Final Fours are 3-3. In the rivalry, UConn leads overall 10-5, but South Carolina won last in 2024 83-65, and now this one avenges the 2025 finals. Theyve met in finals before, like 2022 when SC won 64-49.
Staley versus Auriemma is always a showdown. Shes one win from four titles, with great preparation and using the bench well. Auriemma has the record with 12 rings, but defensive issues hurt them this time. Key moments included that second quarter run to take the lead for good, Johnsons points to shut down the threes threat, the late lockdown, and all those rebounds giving second chances.
The winner faces UCLA or Texas on Sunday, and for South Carolina, its about completing the redemption after last year. Fan reactions are blowing up online, stuff like Gamecocks avenged it, or UConns dynasty crumbling, and questions if Staley is entering the Auriemma era. It stings for Huskies fans after 54 wins.
This game cements South Carolinas dynasty I suppose, with revenge served cold. Staley said they remembered, and now glory is close. Their path was all big margins until this, while UConn went from undefeated to done. Legacy wise, Staley could be a legend with four, SC solidifies as a powerhouse. It sets up an interesting championship, with SC on momentum against a fresh threat.
