APTOPIX NCAA South Carolina UConn Basketball

Rick Scuteri - FR157181 AP
Apr 3, 2026
Apr 3, 2026 Updated Apr 3, 2026

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson, right, and South Carolina guard Agot Makeer (44) celebrate after defeating UConn in a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri - FR157181 AP

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South Carolina smothers UConn 62-48 to advance to NCAA title game, snaps Huskies’ 54-game win streak

PHOENIX (AP) — Dawn Staley and South Carolina are back in the NCAA Tournament title game aft…

South Carolina returns to the NCAA championship game in a showdown with newcomer UCLA

Dawn Staley and South Carolina are back in a familiar place, reaching the NCAA championship game for the fourth time in five years. They’ll have to beat a title-seeking newcomer in UCLA to win the ultimate prize. South Carolina will be trying to win its fourth national championship in nine years. The Gamecocks played stifling defense to knock off UConn 62-48 and end the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak in the semifinals Friday night. UCLA played incredible defense of its own in its 51-44 win over Texas. The Bruins spoiled a chance at the first all-SEC title game since 2017, when Staley’s team beat Mississippi State, which was led by current Texas coach Vic Schaefer.