PHOENIX – The South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins will face off in the Women’s National Championship game on Sunday, April 5.
The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the UConn Huskies to advance to the next round and will play for the National Championship for the fourth time in five years. The South Carolina win ended Connecticut’s 54 game winning streak and dashed their dreams of going back-to-back as national champions.
The game ended in dramatic fashion as Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma refused to give South Carolina’s Dawn Staley a handshake. The two coaches ended up being separated and the moment drove discussion in the postgame.
Two hours later, the UCLA Bruins made history as they took down the Texas Longhorns. For the first time in program history, they will participate in the NCAA National Championship game.
South Carolina’s defensive intensity changed the game Against UConn
The Gamecocks’ defensive game plan changed the trajectory of the game, as they outscored the Huskies in points in the paint (34-20) and won the rebounding battle (47-32).
Senior guard Ta’Niya Latson was one of the key contributors in South Carolina’s victory. Latson had one of her best games of the season, recording a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
“I knew I had to impact the game in any way I could,” Latson said postgame. “I wanted this win. Whether that was rebounding, scoring, or assisting, I was going to do what I had to do. The balls were coming my way, so I had to grab ’em and snag ’em.”
Defense wins championships.
Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley assigned senior guard Raven Johnson to defend Huskies’ sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who was limited to 4-for-12 shooting from the field.
“We went to a smaller lineup just to match what they were doing out there,” Staley said. “I mean, Raven thrives on any matchup, right? Sarah Strong is not the tallest player that she guarded. We were put in the position where she guarded Kentucky’s big (Clara) Strack. We know she’s fearless when it comes to who she’s guarding. She takes really great pride in not look people to score on her.
“When you have a guard like that that has elite defensive skills, you let ’em be great.”
UCLA Makes History, Advancing to the National Championship For the First Time Ever
Over the last two years, the Bruins has made not one, but two appearances in the Women’s Final Four.
Last year in Tampa Bay, UCLA made their first-ever appearance in the Final Four. However, they were was blown out by UConn, who went on to win the National Championship.
“I mean, we were talking about it in the locker room,” said senior forward Lauren Betts, who recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds. “This is something that we’ve all dreamt of being in this position. We’re all very thankful. We expected to be here.
Tonight we’ll all celebrate with our families and soak this in. Tomorrow we have to lock in and prep for another 1-0. We’re definitely allowed to celebrate this. This is amazing. I’m so proud of this group.”
Back in 2011, the Bruins hired Cori Close as their head coach to lead the women’s basketball program.
During her time at UCLA, she guided the team to two Final Four appearances, three Elite Eight appearances, and now she can include coaching in a National Championship game on her resume.
“We’ve played each other every year, over the past several years,” Close said of Dawn Staley. “Dawn does such a great job. I mean, she’s a standard bearer in our sport.
“I’m thankful for what they have done not just for South Carolina but for the game. But we also are an incredibly competitive, confident group. I’m sure they are, as well. All you can ask for is an opportunity to play your best basketball for a national championship. Really excited about that opportunity.”
The Bruins and Gamecocks will face off in Phoenix for the National Title on Sunday in downtown Phoenix.