Watch: UConn blows out South Carolina WBB in Tampa, wins 2025 national championship

It’s national championship Sunday.  Coach Dawn Staley and the South Carolina women’s basketball team are playing UConn in the 2025 national title game on Sunday afternoon in Tampa.  With a win, USC would secure back-to-back national titles, its third championship in the past four years and its fourth overall as a program (2017, 2022, 2024).

UConn is seeking its 12th NCAA title but its first since 2016.  The State’s Michael Sauls and Chapel Fowler are on site providing live updates as USC tries to finish the job and win its second straight national title. Along with this story, you can follow along via Sauls’ X account and the GoGamecocks X account.

Final score: UConn 82, South Carolina 59

It’s over.  UConn was the better team this afternoon and wins its 12th national championship because of it. The Gamecocks come up short in their attempt to win back-to-back titles. This is Staley’s first loss in a national championship — she had been 3-0.  After the first quarter, South Carolina only trailed by 5 points (19-14).  The Gamecocks were outscored 61-45 the rest of the way.

Hay in the barn

If this game didn’t feel over already, it certainly did at the start of Q4 as UConn guard KK Arnold took Gamecocks freshman Maddy McDaniel to the cup off the dribble for an and-one layup … and a 23-point lead. Just a matter of time now.

End Q3: UConn 62, South Carolina 42

The Gamecocks are in trouble. Big trouble.  UConn has an answer for every USC run and is getting an outstanding effort out of its big three of Paige Bueckers (12), Azzi Fudd (24) and Sarah Strong (17).  South Carolina got outscored 26-16 in the third quarter. USC cut its deficit down to 11 points with 3:21 left in the period, but the Huskies didn’t blink.

Halftime: UConn 36, South Carolina 26

The Huskies have outscored the Gamecocks by 5 points in each quarter and are shooting 48% from the field. They lead 14-8 in points in the paint and have 10 points off turnovers. UConn also leads 14-8 in points in the paint.  USC shot just 4-17 in the second quarter. Freshman star Joyce Edwards had to sub out after getting called for two early fouls. MiLaysia Fulwiley is scoreless in seven minutes, and the Gamecocks have 26 points in 20 minutes of game time.  Azzi Fudd, who had 28 against South Carolina in February, has a game-high 13.

End Q1: UConn 19, South Carolina 14

The Gamecocks ended the period on a 4-minute scoring drought and missed 7 of their final 8 shots. UConn’s 5-point lead is its largest so far. Huskies guard Azzi Fudd has a team-high 7 points, and Paige Bueckers has 4 points on 6 shots.  UConn shooting 9-17 (53%). South Carolina shooting 6-15 (40%).   Chloe Kitts leads the Gamecocks with 4 points.

South Carolina’s team entrance

It’s loud at Amalie Arena.

Gamecocks team entrance: pic.twitter.com/zdZOYUoSJK

— GoGamecocks (@gogamecocks) April 6, 2025

Hereeeee come the Gamecocks! pic.twitter.com/8U2ciJItWL

— Michael Sauls (@mcsauls) April 6, 2025

Gamecocks arrive

South Carolina with a red carpet arrival:

Gamecocks making their way down the red carpet! pic.twitter.com/IzHEgvMFDZ

— Michael Sauls (@mcsauls) April 6, 2025

Dawn vs. Geno

Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma have met head-to-head 14 times.  Auriemma is 9-5 in those games, but Staley has won five of the last seven matchups. That includes the 2022 national championship game in Minneapolis. That is Auriemma’s only loss in a title game with UConn. He is 11-0 otherwise.  UConn won the most recent meeting, 87-58, on Feb. 16 in Columbia

How they got here

No. 1 South Carolina’s path to the championship game:

.Round of 64: Beat No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48 in Columbia

.Round of 32: Beat No. 9 Indiana 64-53 in Columbia

.Sweet 16: Beat No. 4 Maryland 71-67 in Birmingham

.Elite Eight: Beat No. 2 Duke 54-50 in Birmingham

.Final Four: Beat No. 1 Texas 74-57 in Tampa

And UConn’s path:

.Round of 64: Beat No. 15 Arkansas State 103-34 in Storrs, Conn.

.Round of 32: Beat No. 10 South Dakota State 91-57 in Storrs, Conn.

.Sweet 16: Beat No. 3 Oklahoma 82-59 in Spokane

.Elite Eight: Beat No. 1 Southern Cal 78-64 in Spokane

.Final Four: Beat No. 1 UCLA 85-51 in Tampa

Final betting line.

UConn is favored by 7.5 points, per ESPN BET. The Huskies had initially opened as a 5.5-point betting favorite in some sportsbooks and a 6.5-point favorite in others.

Although archival betting data isn’t readily available, this is the first USC has been a betting underdog in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and likely all season, too.

ESPN analytics give UConn a 57.1% chance of winning. South Carolina is at 42.9%.
South Carolina vs. UConn game, TV info

.Who: No. 1 South Carolina (35-3) vs No. 2 UConn (36-3)

.When: 3 p.m. Sunday

.Where: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

.TV: ABC

.Radio: 107.5 The Game locally (see full list of affiliates here)

.Stream: Via watchespn.com or the ESPN app