Last time South Carolina lost at home: UConn ends Gamecock women’s historic 71-game home winning streak with blowout

In one of the most shocking upsets in recent memory, the UConn Huskies went into Colonial Life Arena and handed the South Carolina Gamecocks a crushing 87-58 defeat, ending the Gamecocks’ historic 71-game home winning streak. The Gamecocks had not lost at home in nearly four years, a stretch that saw them become the dominant force in women’s college basketball. South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, had built a reputation for suffocating defense, powerful offense, and unshakable confidence on their home court. However, on this night, Paige Bueckers and UConn were simply too much, taking the Gamecocks out of their game and showing that even the best teams can be humbled.

For South Carolina, this loss not only ended their remarkable home-court streak, but it also exposed weaknesses in their defense and offense that could have long-term implications as the season heads toward the postseason. For UConn, this victory represented more than just an upset; it was a statement that they are back to full strength and ready to challenge for the national championship.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at how UConn dismantled South Carolina, the key performances that led to their victory, and what the loss means for both programs moving forward.

Final Score: UConn 87, South Carolina 58

From the moment the game tipped off, it was clear that UConn was ready to make a statement. The Huskies jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, systematically dismantling the Gamecocks with their sharp shooting, fast-paced offense, and relentless defense. UConn finished the game shooting 58% from the field and 41% from three-point range, a level of efficiency that South Carolina simply couldn’t match. On the other hand, the Gamecocks struggled with their shooting, finishing with a lackluster 37% from the field and 2-of-18 from beyond the arc.

It was a complete performance from UConn—one that highlighted their balanced offense, tenacious defense, and ability to execute under pressure. The Huskies led by Paige Bueckers, who returned to form with an outstanding individual performance, but it was a team effort that ultimately overwhelmed the Gamecocks.

Paige Bueckers: The Return of the Superstar

At the heart of UConn’s victory was Paige Bueckers, the former National Player of the Year who had struggled with injuries in recent seasons. After missing significant time due to knee injuries, Bueckers has been steadily regaining her form, and this game was perhaps her best performance since returning to action. Bueckers finished with 21 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Bueckers played with an extraordinary level of poise and confidence, orchestrating UConn’s offense with precision and hitting clutch shots at critical moments. She controlled the tempo of the game, leading UConn in scoring and playmaking while also providing leadership on the floor. Whether it was knocking down deep three-pointers, making crucial assists, or getting key steals on defense, Bueckers was everywhere for the Huskies.

Her shooting was particularly devastating for South Carolina. Bueckers’ ability to stretch the defense with her shooting range kept the Gamecocks on their heels, preventing them from focusing too heavily on stopping the inside game or limiting UConn’s other threats. With Bueckers back at full strength, UConn’s offense looked as dangerous as ever.

Supporting Cast: Azzi Fudd and Aaliyah Edwards

While Bueckers stole the show, UConn’s victory was a team effort, and several other players contributed significantly to the blowout. Azzi Fudd, one of the premier shooters in the nation, added 15 points, including several key three-pointers that helped stretch South Carolina’s defense. Fudd’s ability to knock down long-range shots from almost anywhere on the floor forced the Gamecocks to overcommit on defense, opening up driving lanes for her teammates.

Aaliyah Edwards, UConn’s powerful post player, was also dominant inside, finishing with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Edwards’ physicality in the paint was too much for South Carolina to handle, and she routinely established deep position down low, finishing with ease over defenders. Her presence in the post also kept South Carolina’s defense from collapsing too far into the paint, allowing UConn to exploit mismatches both inside and on the perimeter.

Beyond those three players, Caroline Ducharme added 12 points, and the rest of the team chipped in with timely contributions, making UConn’s offensive attack all the more difficult for South Carolina to slow down.

South Carolina’s Struggles: Inability to Find Rhythm

For South Carolina, this game was a rare misstep, particularly on their home court. The Gamecocks had been nearly unbeatable at Colonial Life Arena for nearly four years, but on this night, they were thoroughly outplayed in every phase of the game. South Carolina struggled with both their offense and defense, and it was a combination of poor shooting, uncharacteristic defensive lapses, and UConn’s unrelenting play that led to their downfall.

Offensive Inefficiencies

South Carolina’s offensive struggles were perhaps the most glaring issue. The Gamecocks shot just 37% from the field, including an abysmal 2-of-18 from three-point range. For a team that has relied heavily on perimeter shooting to open up their offense, this was a massive problem. UConn’s defense was stifling, but South Carolina also missed several wide-open shots and struggled to execute in key moments.

Breein Tyree, South Carolina’s standout guard, finished with just 9 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Tyree had difficulty finding her rhythm against UConn’s aggressive defense, which forced her into contested shots and limited her ability to break down the defense off the dribble. Zia Cooke, another key scorer for the Gamecocks, also struggled, finishing with only 8 points on 3-of-11 shooting. The two guards who had been so effective in leading South Carolina’s offense simply couldn’t get anything going.

A’ja Wilson, the star post player for South Carolina, was also neutralized by UConn’s defense. Wilson finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds, a solid stat line but not up to the standards we’ve come to expect from her. UConn’s defense collapsed on her in the paint, and the Huskies were able to limit her touches, preventing her from being the dominant force she usually is.

The Gamecocks’ offensive flow was disrupted throughout the game, and they failed to find consistent scoring opportunities. Their usual style of attacking the basket and getting out in transition was stifled by UConn’s defense, and their inability to hit outside shots meant they couldn’t spread the floor and open up driving lanes.

Defensive Failures

South Carolina’s defense, which had been its calling card throughout their winning streak, also struggled. The Gamecocks were caught off guard by UConn’s offensive efficiency, and their typical defensive schemes weren’t effective against the Huskies’ balanced attack.

UConn’s ability to space the floor and hit outside shots stretched South Carolina’s defense, leaving them vulnerable inside and on the perimeter. The Gamecocks failed to close out on shooters, allowing Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers, and others to knock down open three-pointers. In addition, Aaliyah Edwards had a field day in the paint, using her size and strength to overpower South Carolina’s interior defenders.

South Carolina’s inability to contain UConn’s ball movement also led to open shots and easy scoring opportunities. UConn’s quick passing and fast breaks created multiple mismatches that South Carolina couldn’t handle. The Gamecocks’ defense was disjointed and slow to react, and they never quite found their rhythm against the Huskies’ offensive onslaught.

Turning Points in the Game

Several key moments set the stage for UConn’s blowout victory and helped solidify their control of the game:

1. UConn’s Early Surge: Establishing Dominance From the start, UConn came out firing. They quickly jumped to a 9-0 lead, forcing South Carolina to play from behind. The Gamecocks couldn’t recover from this early deficit, and UConn’s fast start set the tone for the rest of the game.
2. End of the First Half: UConn Expands Lead By halftime, UConn had already built a commanding 45-27 lead, thanks to their shooting and strong defense. Bueckers, Fudd, and Edwards were all in double figures, and South Carolina had no answers to stop them. A last-second three-pointer by Bueckers just before halftime further extended the lead and left the Gamecocks with a massive hole to climb out of in the second half.
3. Third Quarter: UConn Puts the Game Out of Reach In the third quarter, UConn came out strong, pushing their lead to 20 points with a series of timely baskets. South Carolina had no response, and their shooting woes continued. UConn’s dominance in the second half pushed the Gamecocks further into desperation, and the game was effectively over by the middle of the third quarter.
4. **Fourth Quarter: UConn Cruises

to Victory** The final quarter was academic, as UConn continued to play at a high level while South Carolina struggled to keep up. UConn pushed their lead to as much as 29 points in the closing minutes, sealing the blowout win and the end of South Carolina’s historic streak.

What This Loss Means for South Carolina and UConn

For South Carolina, this loss is a significant blow, but it doesn’t define their season. The Gamecocks still have a talented roster, and they will likely bounce back from this setback. They will need to refocus and address the issues that were exposed in this game—particularly their shooting inefficiencies and defensive lapses. This loss could serve as a wake-up call for the Gamecocks as they prepare for the remainder of the season, including the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament.

For UConn, this victory is a statement that the Huskies are once again a force to be reckoned with. With Paige Bueckers playing at an elite level, UConn has the potential to challenge for the national championship. This win will undoubtedly give the Huskies confidence as they move forward, and they will be a tough opponent for any team in the postseason.

The end of South Carolina’s 71-game home winning streak marks the end of an era for the Gamecocks, but it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in a season that is far from over. For UConn, this victory is a reminder that they are back among the elite programs in women’s college basketball, and they are ready to make a serious run at another title. The stage is set for an exciting postseason, and this game will be remembered as a pivotal moment in shaping the landscape of women’s college basketball.