Two of women’s college basketball’s biggest brands took the floor in a top-10 non-conference showdown on Sunday to close out the weekend slate of games.
And while it didn’t disappoint, it also wasn’t that close.
Behind a big afternoon from Azzi Fudd, No. 6 UConn (24-3 overall, 14-0 in Big East play) stunned No. 4 South Carolina (23-3 overall, 11-1 in SEC play) at Colonial Life Arena with a 87-58 win — its Division I leading 16th 20 point win over an Associated Press top 5 team in the last 25 seasons.
With the win, UConn snapped its four-game losing skid to South Carolina and three-game skid against top-10 ranked teams.
In one of the biggest women’s basketball non-conference matchups of the season, the Gamecocks led just once all afternoon and saw their 71-game home win streak come to an end. It is the first loss at Colonial Life Arena for South Carolina since Dec. 3, 2020 against NC State.
Down 11-9 at the 4:07 mark of the first quarter, UConn shifted the momentum with a 12-3 run to close out the opening frame. That is all the Huskies needed to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, as they outscored the Gamecocks 66-44 in the final three quarters.
Fudd continued to change the direction of the game in the third quarter with one of her best quarter performances at UConn: 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting. The senior guard started the frame hitting each of her first five shots from the field.
Though she had a quiet day at the office — 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds — Paige Bueckers added her name to two pieces of UConn history. The first was surpassing Rebeca Lobo at No. 11 on the UConn all-time scoring list. While the second was joining Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi as the only three players in program history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in their careers.
South Carolina was led in scoring by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, who finished with 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting, five rebounds and two blocks.
With the victory, the Huskies, who were already No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will likely move into the top 3 of the Coaches Poll and see their No. 7 overall seed in the initial top 16 ranking for the NCAA Tournament rise.
It was also the ninth win all-time for Geno Auriemma against Dawn Staley, and improved his head-to-head record against Stanley in the regular season to 8-4.
Follow along here for a recap of updates, highlights and analysis of Sunday’s UConn vs. South Carolina women’s basketball game:
UConn women’s basketball vs South Carolina score updates
This section will be updated at tip-off
UConn women’s basketball vs South Carolina live updates
This section has been updated with new information
Final: UConn 87, South Carolina 58
UConn comes out on top with the signature against South Carolina on Sunday, and snaps South Carolina’s 71-game home win streak.
Paige Bueckers makes UConn history
With a defensive rebound at the 8:46 mark of the fourth quarter, Paige Bueckers becomes the third player in UConn history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in her career. The only other two UConn players to have reached this feat have Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.
Third quarter: UConn 70, South Carolina 44
UConn takes 26 point lead heading into final quarter
The Huskies will take a 26-point lead into the fourth quarter after not being able to get three opportunities inside the paint to go in.
Azzi Fudd was unstoppable in the third quarter for UConn, as the 5-foot-11 guard scored 18 points in the quarter alone on 7 of 9 shooting — which included a stretch that she hit five straight shots from the field in a row. Joyce Edwards scored six of South Carolina’s 21 points in the third quarter.
UConn is 10 minutes away from snapping South Carolina’s 71-game home win streak.
Azzi Fudd heating up for UConn
Azzi Fudd continues to have a big third quarter for UConn as she drains a 3-pointer on the fast break. With the 3-pointer she is 4-4 from the field (2-2 3-point shooting) in the third quarter alone, and now has a game-high 15 points on the afternoon.
UConn is back up to a 27 point lead over South Carolina at 60-33.
UConn opens second half hot
When it rains it pours — literally.
UConn picks up where it left off in the first half, as the Huskies open the third quarter with a 7-2 run that was capped off by a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Azzi Fudd.
Fudd’s 3-pointer pushed UConn’s lead to 52-25 with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter. It’s the largest deficit of the season for the Gamecocks.
Halftime: UConn 45, South Carolina 23
First half stats for UConn-South Carolina
Here’s a look at where things stand statistically at halftime between No. 4 South Carolina and No. 6 UConn:
Field goal percentage: UConn 46%, South Carolina 37%
3-point percentage: UConn 50 32%, South Carolina 22%
Free throws: UConn 4-4, South Carolina 1-2
Turnovers: South Carolina 9, UConn 3
Bench points: UConn 11, South Carolina 9
Points in the paint: UConn 20, South Carolina 14
Assists: UConn 12, South Carolina 4
Steals: UConn 5, South Carolina 0
And here are some individual stats for the Gamecocks and Huskies:
UConn
Sarah Strong: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4-5 shooting
Ashlynn Shade: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3-3 shooting
Jana El Alfy: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 3-4 shooting
Paige Bueckers: 7 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2-8 shooting
South Carolina
Joyce Edwards: 7 points, 1 rebound, 3-4 shooting
Te-Hina Paopao: 6 points, 2-8 shooting, 2-5 3-pointers
UConn leads South Carolina at halftime
A dominant first half by UConn gives the Huskies a commanding 43-23 lead going into the locker room. The Huskies finished the second quarter on a 14-2 run over the final 4:48, while causing five turnovers over the final 5:11.
UConn built lead back to 20
UConn is getting everything to fall its way on offense right now as Kaitlyn Chen extends the Huskies run to 12-2 over the last 2:32 since South Carolina initially brought it to a 10-point game.
South Carolina responds with extended run
The Gamecocks aren’t going away that easy, as they go on a 7-0 run over the last 1:31 to bring the deficit to 10 and force UConn to call a timeout.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, who has two fouls, extended South Carolina’s run to 7-0 when she finished a transition bucket with a left-handed layup off the glass. It was the first point of the afternoon for Fulwiley.
Joyce Edwards ends UConn extended run
Joyce Edwards gives South Carolina a much needed basket as she spins inside the paint and draws the foul after her layup went in. Edwards, who would hit the free-throw, ended a 22-3 run for UConn over nearly eight minutes.
South Carolina now trails 31-17 with 6:39 remaining in the second quarter.
UConn pushes lead to 15
Azzi Fudd pushes UConn’s lead to 15 points after splashing a 3-pointer near the left corner, and Dawn Staley calls a timeout to discuss things over.
The Huskies defense has caused the Gamecocks’ significant struggles on offense thus far, as South Carolina is just 6 of 18 from the field (2 of 7 3-point shooting) and has turned over the ball three times. All UConn right now.
First quarter: UConn 21, South Carolina 14
UConn finishes first quarter off hot
The Huskies found their groove in the final four minutes of the first quarter, as they went on a 12-3 run in the final 3:52 of the frame.
Te-Hina Paopao ended a UConn 9-0 run — that was sparked by a layup from Jana El Alfy — with a 3-pointer. But UConn would jump back out to a seven-point lead when Ashlynn Shade, who leads the team with six points, hit a 3-pointer in the winding seconds of the quarter.
It’s the largest first quarter deficit for South Carolina since 2021 per ESPN’s broadcast.
MiLaysia Fulwiley in foul trouble for South Carolina
A big loss for South Carolina early here in the first half as MiLaysia Fulwiley heads to the bench after picking up her second foul of the game.
It came at the 3:37 mark of the first quarter. Tessa Johnson checked in to replace her on the floor.
UConn-South Carolina tied at first media timeout
With two top 10 teams facing off, both teams are continuing to settle in and establish their offense. The Huskies and Gamecocks are tied 9-9 at the first under-five media timeout of the afternoon.
UConn has missed each of its last four shots from the field. South Carolina will get the ball coming out of the media timeout after Huskies center Jana El Alfy was called for the foul.
Sania Feagin checks out for South Carolina with injury
South Carolina forward Sania Feagin exits the game quickly and heads into the tunnel with the trainer after getting poked in the eye by a UConn player. ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Feagin is getting an examination of her eye.
UConn gets the scoring going
The Huskies are the first on the board first thanks to a pull up 3-pointer in transition from star guard Paige Bueckers. If UConn wants to snap South Carolina’s 71-game home win streak and pick up a signature win on Sunday, the Huskies will need a big game from Bueckers.
Pregame
UConn-South Carolina ‘College GameDay’ picks
Here’s who the ESPN ‘College GameDay’ crew and guest picker Plies picked to win Sunday’s game between UConn and South Carolina:
Elle Duncan: South Carolina
Andraya Carter: South Carolina
Chinenye Ogwumike: South Carolina
Plies: South Carolina
UConn-South Carolina women’s basketball starters
Here’s the starters for the Huskies and Gamecocks on Sunday:
UConn:
G Paige Bueckers
G Azzi Fudd
G Kaitlyn Chen
F Sarah Strong
C Jana El Alfy
South Carolina:
G Te-Hina Paopao
G Bree Hall
G Raven Johnson
F Chloe Kitts
F Sania Feagin
NCAA Women’s Tournament top 16 rankings
Here’s a look at the first partial bracket reveal of the top 16 teams for the NCAA Tournament by the selection committee on Sunday:
Overall seed in parentheses
Spokane 1
1 seed: UCLA (1)
2 seed: LSU (6)
3 seed: Duke (10)
4 seed: Tennessee (16)
Birmingham 1
1 seed: South Carolina (2)
2 seed: NC State (8)
3 seed: TCU (9)
4 seed: Oklahoma (15)
Spokane 2
1 seed: Notre Dame (4)
2 seed: USC (5)
3 seed: Kansas State (12)
4 seed: Kentucky (13)
Birmingham 2
1 seed: Texas (3)
2 seed: UConn (7)
3 seed: UNC (11)
4 seed: Ohio State (14)
Here’s a full look at the top 16 ranking unveil on Sunday:
Geno Auriemma on UConn women’s basketball’s NCAA Tournament outlook
Similar to South Carolina, UConn would add its a signature win to its NCAA Tournament resume with a victory on Sunday. The Huskies sit at 23-3 overall on the season and 3-3 against top 25 ranked opponents.
So with just a few weeks left in the regular season, what is Geno Auriemma’s thoughts on his team’s ceiling for the NCAA Tournament? Here’s what he said to the ESPN ‘College GameDay’ crew:
‘We’re evolving. I just said this to someone, I think we are going to be a tremendous NCAA Tournament team. I really do. I think we are going to be a tremendous NCAA Tournament team.’
Dawn Staley repping Eagles on ‘College GameDay’ set
Dawn Staley didn’t hold back from showing who she was rooting for in Super Bowl 59 when she joined the ESPN ‘College GameDay’ set at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday: the Eagles.
The Gamecocks coach, who grew up in North Philadelphia, is a diehard Eagles fan and has been accustomed to wearing Eagles gear on the sidelines throughout her tenure at South Carolina.
‘I have not,’ Staley said when asked if she’s come down from the high of celebrating the Eagles win over the Kansas City Chiefs. ‘In Philly, we don’t know how to act when we win. And we make up for all the times that we didn’t win. This is the funeral for my Eagles gear for the sidelines for the year.’
Who is UConn women’s basketball’s coach?
Since taking over in 1985, Auriemma transformed UConn into a women’s basketball powerhouse, winning 11 national championships and reaching 23 Final Fours. He enters Sunday’s game against South Carolina with a 1,237-165 overall record at UConn.
South Carolina home streak
A win on Sunday would not just be a statement win for South Carolina and its NCAA Tournament resume, but it would also keep alive its 71-game home win streak at Colonial Life Arena.
The Gamecocks’ last loss at home came on Dec. 3, 2020 against NC State.
What channel is UConn women’s basketball vs South Carolina on today?
TV channel: ABC
Streaming: ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
ABC will broadcast Sunday’s non-conference matchup between UConn and South Carolina from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
UConn vs South Carolina time today
Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Colonial Life Arena (Columbia, S.C.)
UConn and South Carolina will tip off at 1 p.m. ET from Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, Feb. 16 in Columbia, South Carolina.
UConn women’s basketball vs South Carolina history
Series record: UConn leads 9-5
UConn’s last win: 2021 (63-59 OT)
South Carolina’s last win: 2024 (83-65)
As noted by UConn’s record book, the Huskies lead the all-time series against South Carolina 9-5 — though the Gamecocks have won each of the last four meetings.
UConn vs South Carolina predictions
Lulu Kessin, The Greenville News: South Carolina 83, UConn 76
‘South Carolina is frustrated after losing to Texas and though UConn has a chip on its shoulder after losing to Tennessee, the Huskies pick up their second loss to an SEC team.’
UConn vs South Carolina betting odds
Game lines courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Feb. 16
Spread: South Carolina -6.5
Over/under: 136.5
Moneyline: South Carolina (-275) | UConn (+220)
UConn women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Wednesday, Jan. 29: UConn 84, DePaul 58
Sunday, Feb. 2: UConn 101, Butler 59
Thursday, Feb. 6: No. 19 Tennessee 80, UConn 76
Sunday, Feb. 9: UConn 77, Providence 40
Wednesday, Feb. 12: UConn 78, St. John’s 40
South Carolina women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
Monday, Jan. 27: South Carolina 70, No. 18 Tennessee 63
Sunday, Feb. 2: South Carolina 83, Auburn 66
Thursday, Feb. 6: South Carolina 74, Georgia 42
Sunday, Feb. 9: No. 4 Texas 66, South Carolina 62
Thursday, Feb. 13: South Carolina 101, Florida 63