TAMPA, Fla. — What could have been a repeat as national champions was instead just a repeat of bad basketball.
South Carolina women's basketball started the season struggling to score and despite all the triumphs between Nov. 4 and April 6, the No. 1 Gamecocks (35-3) just couldn't score enough to finish the season with another title.
In every way, No. 2 UConn dominated, and just like their 29-point victory in Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 16, the Huskies (37-3) had complete control in the 82-59 win in the NCAA championship at Amalie Arena on Sunday.
A critical element to keeping up with a team that was red hot throughout the NCAA tournament was to limit turnovers and to match their scoring. In the first 10 minutes, it looked like South Carolina could.
When the third quarter began, it felt like the life was slowly getting sucked out of the Gamecocks' fan section as the Huskies outscored South Carolina 26-16.
"They snatched our souls," point guard Raven Johnson said.
While UConn's defense forced uncomfortable shots, the Gamecocks couldn't seemingly convert with simple basketball either. They finished the game 10-of-23 on layups, an area so critical to keeping up with a team capable of putting on an offensive clinic.
South Carolina shot 34% from the field, converting just 21 of 61 shots.
"Nothing was falling for us," junior forward Chloe Kitts said. "We were really trying to put the ball in the basket, lots of contact, but we can't sit here and make excuses. We could have done better."
In the third quarter, MiLaysia Fulwiley scored on a layup, blocked a shot, then got a steal and then an assist to cut the Gamecocks' deficit to 11. UConn coach Geno Auriemma called timeout. Instead of creating more momentum after the break, South Carolina let a perfectly run offensive set result in a 3-pointer by Azzi Fudd.
It was an early dagger, an extra punch − just better offense at the perfect time − something that happened in Round 1 between the two teams as well. South Carolina was down, caught fire and UConn zapped all momentum.
Throughout the NCAA tournament, South Carolina struggled to score but because of its experience, effort and defense, made its way to the Final Four. Against Texas on Friday, it seemed like the offensive flow had returned, but despite positive ball movement against UConn, shots weren't made.
Coach Dawn Staley gave ample credit to UConn and the "masterful" win but felt so much of the offensive was self-inflicted. The defense held the Huskies to one 3-pointer in the first half − consider that UConn shoots 37.7% from behind the arc and made 13 in the regular-season matchup with the Gamecocks − but Fudd's 3-pointer came at an inopportune time.
South Carolina trailed by just seven with less than a minute left till halftime, despite a 4-minute, 46-second scoring drought in the second quarter. UConn hadn't ...
