Paige Bueckers, UConn Upset South Carolina; Gamecocks' 71-Game Home Win Streak Ends

Another historic winning streak fell for South Carolina as the Gamecocks were hammered 87-58 by UConn on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena.

The result ends their 71-game unbeaten run in Columbia, and it was nearly the biggest home defeat of the Dawn Staley era (31 points in December 2008).

Huskies star Paige Bueckers had a poor shooting game, going 3-of-12 overall, but posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. Freshman forward Sarah Strong had a double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) as well, while senior guard Azzi Fudd dropped a game-high 28 points.

The second quarter is when this contest unraveled for the reigning national champions. UConn outscored South Carolina 24-9, suffocating the Gamecocks in a way Staley's squad is accustomed to dominating opponents. The Huskies never looked back from there.

It was pretty shocking to see SC look this flat, especially in such a big game.

For UConn, it's night and day to contrast this performance from earlier losses to Notre Dame, USC and Tennessee. Fans knew the Huskies had the talent to put an effort like this together, and they had certainly shown flashes.

This is what everyone expected from a program that was ranked No. 2 behind South Carolina in the preseason polls.

More than just losing to a marquee opponent at home, this result could have consequences toward South Carolina's seeding in the NCAA tournament. Whereas they looked a pretty safe bet to secure a No. 1 seed, it may no longer be a guarantee.I

UConn, meanwhile, could catapult itself into that conversation after the committee had the Huskies seventh in their top 16 ranking. When they're playing this well, there may not be anybody better in the country.