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.

The Huskies (36-3) outscored the Bruins (34-3) in all four quarters. UConn scored 27 points off turnovers to UCLA's five. The Huskies outshot the Bruins from the field, 55% to 38.5%. They outrebounded UCLA, 34-29. They held the edge in assists, 17-11. They compiled a nine-point advantage in fast-break points.

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.

The Huskies used to be the cream of the crop in women’s basketball, but that title has been grasped by Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks in recent years. UConn has been in every national tournament since 1989,

Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong powered UConn to the program's first national title in nearly a decade and 12th overall.

Believe it or not, it’s been nearly 10 years since UConn won the Women’s NCAA Tournament. The Huskies last cut down the nets in 2016, capping off an undefeated season and a four-peat. UConn will look to end its “drought” in Sunday’s National Championship.