The UConn Huskies won their 12th national title with an 82-59 victory over defending champions the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Huskies, who hold the record for the most NCAA Championships of all time, also ended a nine-year drought without a national crown with the triumph. “They've all been gratifying, don't get me wrong, but this one here, because of the way it came about and what's been involved, it's been a long time since I've been that emotional when a player has walked off the court.” - Geno Auriemma  Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong led UConn to victory, securing their return to the top of women's basketball. Fudd, who was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, scored 24 points in the win, with Strong adding 24 points and 15 rebounds while Bueckers contributed a further 17 points.  Auriemma, the oldest coach to win a major college basketball title at 71, praised the trio, saying, “Well, it's amazing to have three players like that on the same team.” Bueckers, who is the projected No.1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, caps off her collegiate career, which has seen the 23-year-old make four straight Final Four appearances.. UConn's last title appearance was in 2022, when they lost to South Carolina, marking the start of the Gamecocks' current streak and ending Auriemma's perfect title game record.