South Carolina has only lost three games all season — two of which were to Texas — so the Gamecocks have been close behind UConn all season. On Friday, they outplayed them and were the more physical team as they advanced to their third consecutive title game.
Loser: UConn’s unbeaten season
The Huskies entered the NCAA Tournament on the heels of an 11th undefeated regular season and a 13th consecutive conference tournament title. Aside from a three-point win over Michigan earlier in the season, the Huskies won every game by double digits and were largely untested all season.
UConn played well enough defensively to win once again, but its second-best offense (87.9 PPG) did not show up and let it down at the worst possible time.
Winner: South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley
UConn HC Geno Auriemma may have the most titles in women’s college basketball history (12), but Staley is not far behind. Her three titles only trail Auriemma, Pat Summit (eight) and Kim Mulkey (four). Furthermore, she is now the fourth HC in the women’s game to reach three consecutive championship games, joining Joe Ciampi, Summit and Auriemma.
All four of them are in the women’s basketball Hall of Fame, but if Staley can add another title to her accolades after ending UConn’s perfect season in the process, her legend will only continue to grow.
Loser: Geno Auriemma’s meltdown
Auriemma took issue with the foul disparity between South Carolina and UConn by going off during his in-game interview. He followed that up by having a verbal exchange with Staley that turned heated as the teams went to shake hands at the end of the game.
He is one of the best coaches in the history of the sport (men or women). He may also have a point about the foul calls throughout the game. With that said, the excuses and postgame altercation with Staley only add some intrigue to their rivalry.
Winner: UCLA’s first trip to title game
The offense was optional, but the Bruins overcame 23 turnovers and defeated the Longhorns, 51-44, to reach the program’s first national title game. Even with scoring hard to come by, senior center Lauren Betts had 16 points (7-of-10 FG) and 11 rebounds as UCLA heads into Sunday’s tilt against South Carolina with a title on the line.
Loser: Texas’ dismal offense
While UCLA still managed to shoot 41% from the field, Texas was only 20-of-65 (31%). Junior forward Madison Booker was held to just six points (3-of-23 FG) as the Longhorns failed to get anything going the entire game with their lowest point total of the season.