8:14 pm, February 16, 2025
After two losses of their final three video games, the reigning champs are able to regroup and end robust. Here is what’s left on their schedule:
- vs. Arkansas – Feb 20, 7:00 PM (SEC Community)
- At Vanderbilt – Feb 23, 3:00 PM
- At Ole Miss – Feb 27, 9:00 PM
- vs. No. 8 Kentucky – Mar 2, 2:00 PM (ESPN)
With just one ranked opponent remaining, South Carolina has an opportunity to bounce again and shut out the season on a excessive observe! 
7:51 pm, February 16, 2025
In a sport that can have followers buzzing for days, the UConn Huskies delivered a press release win, 87-58 over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Enviornment. With this victory, UConn fingers South Carolina their first dwelling loss since Dec. 2020.
Azzi Fudd Takes Heart Stage!
The star of the present? Azzi Fudd, who poured in 28 factors (5 rebounds), together with 5 three-pointers. Her 11-22 taking pictures efficiency left defenders scrambling and helped gasoline UConn’s fiery offensive show.
UConn’s Dominance in Numbers:
- Taking pictures: UConn shot a scorching 43.7% from the sphere (31-71), together with an explosive 46.4% from three (13-28)!
- South Carolina: Combating a 37.7% taking pictures efficiency and simply 17.6% from three (3-17), they couldn’t maintain tempo.
- Rebounds: UConn outrebounded the Gamecocks 48 to 29, showcasing their measurement and hustle on each ends of the court docket.
- Assists: The Huskies dished out 22 assists, preserving the ball shifting and creating open seems to be.
Quick Break Frenzy:
UConn fully managed the transition sport, scoring a large 31 quick break factors, outpacing South Carolina’s 12. The Huskies turned protection into offense with ruthless effectivity. 
Historic Win:
This marks UConn’s sixteenth 20-point victory over a top-5 opponent previously 25 seasons, solidifying their legacy as some of the dominant applications in girls’s basketball. 
The Huskies enhance to a powerful 24-3 (8-2 away), whereas South Carolina falls to 23-3 (12-1 at dwelling).
As UConn rolls by the remainder of the season, they’re sending a transparent message to the nation: they’re prepared for no matter challenges come their approach and there is a excessive change we’ll see these groups battle it out in March.
7:40 pm, February 16, 2025
Azzi Fudd exhibiting up with an explosive 3-pointer & defensive rebound (7 PTS)!
Sarah Sturdy provides 2 fast factors with a layup
Huge hustle from Jana El Alfy with key defensive boards!
Maddy McDaniel additionally placing in work with a clutch layup
UConn’s protection? Unstoppable. Their offense? Spectacular. 
WE WANT SARAH pic.twitter.com/J3PjX7Tn3D
— UConn Ladies’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 16, 2025
7:25 pm, February 16, 2025
Rating: UConn 70 – South Carolina 44
The Huskies are in full management. Azzi Fudd scorching from deep (
3 triples within the quarter), whereas Paige Bueckers offensive precision shines by. UConn’s protection turned up the strain, forcing key turnovers that led to transition buckets.
Azzi Fudd: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 3 3PM
Paige Bueckers: 10 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL
Aubrey Griffin: 8 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST
Joyce Edwards (SC): 12 PTS, 7 REB
MiLaysia Fulwiley (SC): 9 PTS, 3 STL
6:39 pm, February 16, 2025
On the break, UConn leads South Carolina 45-23, placing on an absolute clinic on each ends of the ground. South Carolina has a 71 sport dwelling win streak which is the 4th longest in NCAA historical past, can UConn snap it? Let’s try the stats:
First Half Highlights:
- UConn: 17-37 FG (46%) & 7 threes on 13 makes an attempt
- Sarah Sturdy=STRONG The freshman has been in every single place—pulling down threes, crashing the boards, and even swiping a number of steals!
- Paige Bueckers, the Bucket-Getter – She’s preserving the Huskies in rhythm together with her elite shot-making and clean playmaking.
- Defensive Lockdown Mode
– UConn’s protection has been relentless, forcing turnovers and limiting South Carolina’s shot makes an attempt.
South Carolina’s Struggles:
- Taking pictures woes
– The Gamecocks are ice-cold from deep and struggling to seek out beauty. - Turnover troubles
– Pricey giveaways have led to simple buckets for UConn. - Want a second-half spark!
6:31 pm, February 16, 2025
Azzi Fudd is cooking!
AZZI FUDD
pic.twitter.com/XrkpFl9F6K
— UConn Ladies’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 16, 2025
UConn is constant from deep, taking pictures 71% from three! Azzi Fudd & Ashlynn Shade splash huge pictures, whereas Paige Bueckers dishes dimes. Huskies up 29-14—South Carolina wants solutions quick!
6:22 pm, February 16, 2025
YEEHAW
pic.twitter.com/BXDKEHgWzO
— UConn Ladies’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 16, 2025
UConn got here out firing, closing the quarter on a 10-3 run to take a 7-point lead! Ashlynn Shade drilled a late nook triple off a slick dime from Paige Bueckers, whereas Azzi Fudd & KK Arnold attacked the rim.
South Carolina struggled from deep (1/6 from 3PT), however Te-Hina Paopao lastly bought one to fall. Joyce Edwards is battling inside, however UConn’s protection is locked in.
Can the Gamecocks reply, or will UConn maintain the momentum? 
6:10 pm, February 16, 2025
UConn Huskies (# 7)
- Paige Bueckers – G | #5 | SR | 6’0″
- Kaitlyn Chen – G | #20 | SR | 5’9″
- Azzi Fudd – G | #35 | SR | 5’11”
- Sarah Sturdy – F | #21 | FR | 6’2″
- Jana El Alfy – C | #8 | FR | 6’5″
South Carolina Gamecocks (#4)
- Te-Hina Paopao – G | #0 | SR | 5’9″
- Raven Johnson – G | #25 | JR | 5’9″
- Bree Corridor – G | #23 | SR | 6’0″
- Chloe Kitts – F | #21 | JR | 6’2″
- Sania Feagin – F | #20 | SR | 6’3″
5:42 pm, February 16, 2025
A top-10 showdown is about as #1 South Carolina takes on #7 UConn, with each groups featured within the NCAA’s newest High 16 reveal:
NCAA DI Women’s Basketball Top 16 (Feb. 16): Test it out!
UCLA
South Carolina
Texas
Notre Dame
Southern California
LSU
UConn
NC State
TCU
Duke
North Carolina
Kansas State
Kentucky
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Tennessee
1:12 am, February 16, 2025
This Sunday marks the ultimate sport between these two groups below the present scheduling contract, so there’s a way of urgency and pleasure within the air. With UConn trying to break South Carolina’s four-game streak, Coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies can have their work lower out for them. South Carolina, led by Daybreak Staley, has been taking part in their model of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, which has brought about issues for UConn in earlier matchups.
Key Gamers to Watch:
- Paige Bueckers (UConn): The Huskies’ star guard is all the time a risk, and South Carolina will look to place their finest defenders on her to gradual her down.
- Joyce Edwards (South Carolina): She’s been a standout for the Gamecocks, and her scoring capacity might be the difference-maker.
- Sarah Sturdy (UConn): The freshman sensation is changing into an enormous contributor for UConn, and she or he’ll have to step up in a giant approach.
What to Look ahead to:
-
The Return of UConn’s Stars: Regardless of a number of accidents, Azzi Fudd is again, and UConn is feeling extra assured. How will they modify to South Carolina’s strain protection?
-
Guard Play: South Carolina has been shutting down opposing guards with their quickness and athleticism. Te-Hina Paopao and MiLaysia Fulwiley may have huge roles in breaking down UConn’s protection.
-
The Battle of Bench Depth: UConn has been counting on their starters, however South Carolina boasts among the best bench models within the nation, averaging 42.0 factors per sport. Will UConn’s fatigue present on this high-energy sport?
Availability Reviews:
- South Carolina: Ashlyn Watkins is out, however everybody else is wholesome and able to go.
- UConn: Morgan Cheli, Ice Brady, Ayanna Patterson are out with accidents, and Carolina Ducharme remains to be sidelined for the season.
8:05 pm, February 15, 2025
Daybreak Staley and Tonya Cardoza’s bond began on the College of Virginia, the place they performed collectively within the early 90s. As teammates, they shaped a dynamic backcourt, with Staley’s management and playmaking capacity complementing Cardoza’s defensive tenacity. Collectively, they helped elevate Virginia’s girls’s basketball program, making it a powerhouse within the ACC.
-
Tonya Cardoza (1987-1991)
UVA legend & UConn assistant coach
Led UVA to 4 consecutive NCAA Tourneys
Averaged 15.5 ppg, high 10 in steals, blocks, factors, & rebounds
ACC fiftieth Anniversary Ladies’s Basketball Group
-
Daybreak Staley (1989-1992)
UVA legend & South Carolina head coach
3x NCAA Champion as a participant & 2x as a coach
Remodeled South Carolina right into a powerhouse
3x All-American & 9x NCAA Match look
After their school careers, each went on to grow to be profitable coaches. Staley is now the pinnacle coach at South Carolina, the place she’s led the Gamecocks to nationwide prominence, whereas Cardoza is an assistant coach at UConn below Geno Auriemma, serving to the Huskies keep their elite standing.
7:47 pm, February 15, 2025
This rivalry is one for the ages, with each groups bringing elite expertise, unmatched teaching, and a deep need to show themselves. The final matchup on Feb. 11, 2024, noticed South Carolina dominate UConn 83-65, persevering with their four-game successful streak over the Huskies. The win got here off a stellar efficiency by Joyce Edwards (South Carolina) whereas Paige Bueckers (UConn) tried to spark a comeback.
The first assembly between the 2 was in 2007, the place UConn delivered a dominating 97-39 victory on their dwelling court docket. Through the years, these groups have confronted off in some iconic matchups, together with the 2022 Nationwide Championship sport, the place South Carolina secured a 64-49 win to assert their second NCAA title, led by coach Daybreak Staley and standout gamers like Aliyah Boston.
Since then, South Carolina has stored the higher hand within the rivalry, successful 5 of the final six matchups, with the lone UConn victory coming again in 2021 in a dramatic time beyond regulation win (63-59). However there’s all the time that lingering feeling that UConn may flip issues round—particularly with Paige Bueckers trying to lead her group to victory as soon as once more.
Key Moments in Rivalry Historical past:
- 2017: UConn wins 66-55 at dwelling, snapping South Carolina’s 11-game win streak.
- 2021: UConn defeats South Carolina 63-59 in time beyond regulation in some of the thrilling video games of the collection.
- 2022 Nationwide Championship: South Carolina defeats UConn 64-49 to assert the title
- 2024 (most up-to-date): South Carolina dominates UConn 83-65 in Columbia, extending their win streak.
5:46 pm, February 15, 2025
No. 7 UConn (23-3) travels to No. 4 South Carolina (23-2) on Sunday in what figures to be a must-see girls’s school basketball matchup.
Here is all the knowledge wanted to observe the sport:
Date: Sunday, February 16
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Colonial Life Enviornment, Columbia, S.C.
TV/Streaming: ABC/WatchESPN
We can be dwell running a blog the sport right here on NCAA.com.
