UConn Women's Basketball Team Wins 12th National Championship

TAMPA, FL — The University of Connecticut women's basketball team, led by Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong, won its 12th national championship by defeating South Carolina 82 to 59 on Sunday afternoon.

UConn is now 12-1 in the National Championship game. The championship game was held at Amalie Arena. This is UConn's first championship since 2016. Geno Auriemma has led UConn to all 12 of its national championships.

Auriemma after the game thanked "UConn Nation for showing up," while adding the team has the best fans in the world. Fudd was named the 2025 final four most outstanding player.

Bueckers said, "we feel all the Husky love." Strong said she is proud of her teammates.

Gov. Ned Lamont wrote on X "Congratulations, @UConnWBB! Your hard work and dedication have made Connecticut proud once again."

UConn led 19 to 14 after the first quarter and were led by Fudd with seven points and Bueckers and Strong both contributed four points each. UConn led at the half, 36 to 26 as Fudd led the way with 13 points and Strong and Bueckers each chipped in eight points each.

UConn extended its lead to 20 after the third quarter, leading 62-42. After three quarters, Fudd had 24 points, Strong, 15 and Bueckers, 14. UConn closed out the fourth quarter, outscoring South Carolina 20 to 17.

Fudd ended the game with 24 points, Strong, 22, and Bueckers, 17.

UConn's march to its 12th championship began in the first round, as they defeated Arkansas State 103-34. In the second round, they defeated South Dakota State, 91-57. In the Sweet 16, UConn defeated Oklahoma, 82-59, and they then advanced to the Final Four by winning against USC 78-64.

The Huskies advanced to the championship game by dominating UCLA 85-51.

UConn has qualified for the NCAA Tournament every year since the 1988-89 season.

Read more: More Top Honors For UConn's Bueckers, Strong

• UConn's Sarah Strong Gets More Top Freshman Honors