As the UCLA starters congregated before tip-off against UConn, joy radiated from the Bruins. The players had emphasized in the days leading up to the national semifinal that they expected to be at the Final Four – they were the No.

UConn is looking for its 12th national title in program history. The Huskies have not won a championship since 2016 but have made the Final Four every year since. UConn has made the championship game just once since 2016. The Gamecocks have lost just three games this year, the worst of those losses came to UConn by 29 points in February.

Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd didn’t even need much help from superstar Paige Bueckers to propel UConn into the national title game, leading the Huskies to a remarkably easy 85-51 victory over UCLA in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

As South Carolina seeks a rare repeat as national champs, their opponent is a UConn team trying to get to back their dominance of the sport.

UConn has advanced to the national championship game for the first time since 2022 and the 13th time overall after dominating No. 1 overall seed UCLA 85-51 in the Final Four. The Huskies will face defending national champion South Carolina in the final on Sunday.

UConn turns in one of its best defensive efforts of the season in beating UCLA and advancing to the NCAA national championship game

Lauren Betts scores 26 points to lead the top-seeded Bruins, who trail by 22 at halftime in an 85-51 thrashing by the second-seeded Huskies, who will face South Carolina for the title.

It may be April, but we still have another few days of March Madness left to enjoy with the Women’s Final Four tipping off today. Fanatics has all the NCAA Tournament Final Four gear you’ll need to cheer on your favorite teams in style.