UConn holds off second-half USC comeback, clinches 24th Final Four in program history

UConn led USC 51-46 entering the fourth quarter after the Huskies led the Trojans by as many as 19 points during the game. Despite their best efforts, however, Paige Bueckers and the Huskies were too much for the JuJu-less Trojans, winning 78-64 and advancing to their second consecutive Final Four.

It wasn’t just the 31 points from Bueckers during the game that helped hold off USC and company. Freshman star Sarah Strong was a force in the paint, scoring and grabbing rebounds at will while also showing off a back-breaking 3-point shot. Overall, Strong finished the game with 22 points and 17 rebounds on a well-earned double-double.

“It’s a team win. It’s a team victory,” Bueckers told ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the court after the win. “The coaches do a really good job of preparing us for this moment, and we stepped up. We just have come together through everything, through the injuries, through the adversity. We’ve just come together and remain connected, remain unaffected by everything that’s going on.”

UConn’s Final Four berth wasn’t without its drama, however. The Huskies were looking to cruise to another double-digit victory during the NCAA Tournament, but the Trojans were able to mount a 9-0 run in the final moments of the third quarter, which was capped by a last-second bucket by Talia von Oelhoffen.

All the momentum seemed to be on USC’s side in a matter of moments, but the Huskies’ scoring effort proved to be too much for the Trojans in the end. USC leaned on senior Rayah Marshall for the bulk of its scoring, as she logged a team-high 23 points during the losing effort. Kiki Iriafen and von Oelhoffen also scored in double figures on the night.

Now, head coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies have made their 24th Final Four all-time — all of which came from 1991 to the present day. The Huskies reached a record of 14 consecutive Final Four appearances from 2008 to 2022. They were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16 in 2023, but have made the Final Four in the two seasons since.

However, the Huskies haven’t won the NCAA Championship since 2016. They’re 11-1 all-time in national championship games, with the only loss coming in 2022.

UConn will meet No. 1 seed UCLA on Friday at the Final Four, and the winner of that game will take on the winner of Texas vs. South Carolina to decide the national championship. Tip-off between the Huskies and Bruins is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN.