UConn Huskies Advance To 24th Final Four With Victory

The UConn Huskies women's basketball team is once again headed to the Final Four after a thrilling 78-64 victory over the No. 1 seed USC Trojans on Monday night in Spokane, Washington. This win marks UConn's second consecutive trip to the Final Four and the fourth since 2021, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in college basketball. With this victory, UConn has now made it to the Final Four a record 24 times, the most for any men's or women's team in NCAA history.

Head coach Geno Auriemma, who has been at the helm since 1985, celebrated his 1,248th career win with this latest triumph. Auriemma, who turned 71 on March 23, 2025, has been instrumental in UConn's success, leading the team to 11 NCAA titles. His latest achievement also comes with a financial bonus; according to USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz, Auriemma earned a $100,000 bonus for this Final Four appearance, bringing his total bonuses this season to $312,500.

“This team, we have to do a lot of things exactly right,” Auriemma said during his post-game interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “We do have a lot of holes in our lineup at times, but these guys have learned how to play so hard together. They have learned to trust each other.”

Leading the charge for the Huskies was senior guard Paige Bueckers, who scored 31 points in the game. Bueckers has been on fire during the tournament, averaging 35 points over her last three March Madness games. Freshman Sarah Strong also made a significant impact, contributing 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

“I feel like every team that I’ve played on, we’ve been super well-connected,” Bueckers remarked after the game. “But just the way we’ve been through so much adversity as individuals, as a team, how much it’s brought us together, how much it's made us stronger.”

Despite UConn's commanding lead, USC made a strong push in the second half. The Trojans, who were without their star player JuJu Watkins due to injury, managed to cut UConn's lead to just five points at 51-46 by the end of the third quarter. However, Bueckers and her teammate Azzi Fudd hit back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead to 62-48. USC's Avery Howell made a late three-pointer to narrow the gap to 70-61, but it was not enough to overcome UConn's lead.

USC, which was seeking its first Final Four appearance since 1986, had high hopes for this season. Rayah Marshall led the Trojans with 23 points and 15 rebounds, but ultimately, they fell short against a well-prepared UConn squad.

“None of it would happen without the team, and everything that goes into a performance,” Bueckers stated, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. “Just trying to lead with what the game is calling for, lead with what we need at that moment.”

Looking ahead, UConn will face the overall No. 1 seed UCLA in the Final Four on Friday night in Tampa, Florida. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest as both teams vie for a spot in the championship game.

Auriemma reflected on the journey of this year's team, highlighting the unique challenges they faced. “Every year is different. Every journey is different. It has its own pitfalls and its own highs and lows,” he said. “This is their personal journey. Whether they did it because they want Paige to go out great or whatever the case may be, the bottom line is we had a lot of guys contribute exactly when we needed them.”

As the Huskies prepare for their next challenge, the excitement surrounding the team continues to grow. With a blend of experienced players and fresh talent, UConn looks poised to make another deep tournament run. The players and coaching staff are eager to embrace the opportunity, as Bueckers noted, “She deserves it,” referring to the chance to compete for a national title.

With the Final Four just days away, fans are eagerly anticipating what UConn will bring to the court against UCLA. The Huskies have a storied history in women's basketball, and this season is shaping up to add another remarkable chapter to their legacy.