South Carolina and UCLA Advance to Title Game

In Phoenix, the 2025‑26 women’s basketball season reached its climax as the Final Four produced two surprise victors. The South Carolina Gamecocks, under Dawn Staley, dismantled a dominant UConn team 62‑48, ending the Huskies’ 54‑game winning streak and sparking a heated exchange between Staley and veteran coach Geno Auriemma in the closing minutes.

Across the court, the UCLA Bruins, led by sophomore forward Lauren Betts, fended off a resilient Texas squad to claim their first Final Four win. The Bruins’ defensive tenacity and a late‑game surge secured a victory that sets up a historic championship showdown with South Carolina on Sunday.

Both semifinals featured No. 1 seeds, a rarity seen only five times in tournament history. As the nation turns its eyes to the championship, the matchup promises a clash of contrasting styles—South Carolina’s pressure defense versus UCLA’s balanced offense—underscoring the growing depth and excitement of women’s college basketball.