UConn Women’s Basketball wins its first national title since 2016

April 6, 2025 – Minneapolis, MN – The dynasty is back. The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team captured its 12th national championship, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 72-65 in a thrilling title game at the Target Center. This victory marks the program’s first NCAA title since 2016, ending a nine-year drought that felt uncharacteristically long for a team synonymous with dominance.

Under the guidance of legendary coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies showcased their signature blend of precision, resilience, and star power. Junior guard Paige Bueckers, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, led the charge with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, cementing her status as one of the game’s brightest stars. Her performance in the championship game capped off a remarkable tournament run that silenced doubters who questioned whether UConn could return to its former glory after years of near-misses.

“It’s been a journey,” Bueckers said post-game, clutching the championship trophy. “This team, this program, we’ve been through so much— injuries, setbacks, pressure. To bring it home feels unreal.”

The road to the title wasn’t easy. UConn entered the 2024-2025 season with high expectations but faced adversity early on. Injuries to key players tested the roster’s depth, and a midseason loss to rival Notre Dame sparked speculation that the Huskies’ dynasty might be fading. Yet, Auriemma’s squad regrouped, finishing the regular season with a 28-4 record and earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In the Final Four, UConn dispatched Stanford 68-60 in a gritty semifinal matchup, setting the stage for a showdown with top-seeded South Carolina. The Gamecocks, led by coach Dawn Staley and sophomore sensation Raven Johnson, came into the game undefeated and hungry to repeat as champions after their 2024 triumph. The championship clash lived up to its billing as a battle of titans, with neither team leading by more than eight points throughout the game.

The turning point came in the fourth quarter. With South Carolina up 60-58 and just under six minutes remaining, Bueckers drained a contested three-pointer from the wing, igniting a 10-0 UConn run that shifted momentum for good. Sophomore forward Aaliyah Edwards contributed a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds), while senior guard Nika Mühl’s tenacious defense on Johnson—who finished with 18 points—helped seal the victory.

For Auriemma, now in his 40th season at UConn, the win was a testament to perseverance. “This group never stopped believing,” he said. “They wanted to prove they could carry the torch. And they did.” The title brings his career total to 12, further solidifying his legacy as the winningest coach in women’s college basketball history.

Fans in Storrs, Connecticut, erupted in celebration as the final buzzer sounded. The victory parade, already in the planning stages, promises to be a raucous affair as Husky Nation welcomes home its champions. For a program that has won 11 titles between 1995 and 2016, this latest triumph feels both like a return to form and a new beginning.

South Carolina’s Staley, gracious in defeat, praised UConn’s effort. “They’re a class act and a hell of a team,” she said. “We’ll be back.”

As the confetti fell, the narrative around UConn shifted. The dynasty isn’t dead—it’s evolving. With Bueckers likely returning for her senior year and a talented recruiting class on the horizon, the Huskies are poised to remain a force in women’s college basketball for years to come.

For now, though, the focus is on the present. UConn is once again on top, and the view from there looks as good as ever.

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