South Carolina's Dawn Staley Says UConn Did 'Masterful Job' in NCAA Title Game

South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley praised the UConn Huskies' performance in their 82-59 NCAA title win, saying the Huskies did a "masterful job."

"Much respect to UConn, they did a masterful job in executing on both sides of the basketball," Staley told reporters after the game.

Staley and the Gamecocks were limited to no more than 17 points in any quarter as the Huskies put on a defensive clinic, outscoring them 46-33 in the second half.

"They flat out beat us," Staley continued. "We tried to throw a lot at them, and they rose about it all. That's what happens when you have super-talented players. We've been on the other side of it, so we get it."

The Gamecocks were aiming for back-to-back national titles after winning the 2024 championship behind Staley and current WNBA star Kamilla Cardoso but fell short, suffering their first-ever loss in an NCAA Championship game.

UConn star Paige Bueckers finished with 17 points, while freshman Sarah Strong and senior Azzi Fudd each added 24 as the Huskies captured their 12th national title.

For South Carolina, only two players reached double figures—Joyce Edwards and Tessa Johnson—both coming off the bench with 10 points each.

Though the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies for the national title in 2022, Staley acknowledged the consistent talent that flows through the UConn program as they have remained the "standard" to beat.

"UConn's been the standard," Staley said. "Any time you can get any wins you are breaking into moving ahead in the game. ... They had the better team this year. You don't always win when you have the better team, but they did this year, and that's what you're supposed to do."

Although Staley was unable to secure her fourth NCAA Championship with South Carolina on Sunday, the Gamecocks will hopefully have a strong group of returners next season, with just four seniors on the roster this year.