South Carolina Upsets UConn to Reach a Second Straight National Title Game

For the second season in a row, UConn and South Carolina matched up. This time around the Gamecocks got their revenge of last year's title game with a 62-48 over UConn.

Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UConn Huskies guard Kayleigh Heckel (9) defends against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Maddy McDaniel (1) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In a rematch of last year's national title game, the Gamecocks get their revenge and upset the previously undefeated UConn Huskies 62-48. South Carolina heads to their second national title game in as many years.

Coming into the matchup, UConn was the favorite to win the whole tournament and finish the season at 40-0. Dawn Staley said following the Elite Eight win over TCU that her team must "go pound for pound and be unafraid playing against an undefeated team" like the Huskies. Her team followed that statement with a huge upset victory in the Final Four.

In the second half, the Gamecocks controlled the game through much of the third quarter, even gaining a 10-point advantage with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter. That lead would evaporate quickly as it would be just a five point South Carolina advantage going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter is where Dawn Staley's squad really began to pull away. UConn got the lead within five, but could never tie or take the lead. South Carolina finished the fourth on a 18-8 run to put the nail in the coffin of UConn's undefeated season, also breaking a 54-game winning streak.

Ta'Niya Latson led South Carolina in points tonight with 16 while adding 11 rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Joyce Edwards, Agot Makeer, and Tessa Johnson also finished the night in double digits.

Now the team awaits the winner of Texas and UCLA to find out their fate in the national title game.