In the final moments of UConn’s 12th national title victory, coach Geno Auriemma and star guard Paige Bueckers shared a heartfelt embrace, marking a fitting farewell in Bueckers’ last game with the Huskies.
“This one feels special,” Auriemma said, reflecting on the emotional impact of the win. “It’s been a long time since I felt this emotional when a player left the court.”
Bueckers, alongside Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, led UConn to a dominant 82-59 win over defending champions South Carolina, reclaiming their spot at the top of women’s college basketball. Fudd, named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, scored 24 points, while Strong added 24 points and 15 rebounds. Bueckers chipped in with 17 points to help the Huskies finish the season at 37-3.
Auriemma praised the trio’s synergy: “Having three players like that is incredible. Sarah plays with the intensity of someone graduating, and together, they complement each other perfectly with their unique skills.”
Bueckers capped off her remarkable UConn career with this championship, ending a nine-year title drought for the Huskies—their longest since their first national championship in 1995. The victory marked a return to dominance, reminiscent of past greats like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart, all of whom were present to witness the triumph in Florida.
“This was about resilience and gratitude,” Bueckers reflected. “I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.”
UConn pulled away in the third quarter, with Fudd, Strong, and Bueckers combining for 23 of the team’s 26 points during the period. The Huskies extended a 10-point halftime lead to a commanding margin, finishing strong with a 12-3 run.
Their outstanding performance set records, as the trio scored a combined 368 points during the tournament—an NCAA record for the highest total by three teammates. This performance surpassed the previous mark held by Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings, and Semeka Randall in 1998.
South Carolina, led by Dawn Staley, had hoped to win its third title in four years but couldn’t keep pace with UConn’s firepower. “We gave it our all,” Staley said. “UConn was simply the better team today.”
UConn’s path to victory was filled with heartbreak in previous tournaments, including last-second losses in the Final Four. But in 2023, the Huskies found their way back to the top, proving their resilience and determination.
