No. 4 South Carolina is blown out 87-58 by No. 7 UConn, ending the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning run.

In what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most shocking results of the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball season, the No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks were completely overwhelmed by the No. 7 UConn Huskies in an 87-58 loss at Colonial Life Arena. This loss not only handed the Gamecocks their worst defeat in recent memory, but it also marked the end of their historic 71-game home winning streak, one of the most impressive runs in NCAA basketball history.

The Gamecocks had been the gold standard in women’s college basketball under head coach Dawn Staley, dominating their opponents at home, creating an intimidating atmosphere in their home arena. That streak had become synonymous with South Carolina’s unyielding strength, their ability to defend their home court with fierce tenacity. However, on this night, UConn came into Columbia and decisively ended that run with an all-around performance that stunned fans, analysts, and the team itself.

This article takes a deep dive into what led to South Carolina’s blowout loss, the factors that contributed to the end of their 71-game home winning streak, and what this game means for both the Gamecocks’ season and their future aspirations.

UConn’s Domination: A Complete Team Effort

The UConn Huskies entered the game with a clear goal: to expose South Carolina’s weaknesses and end their home dominance in front of a raucous, record-setting crowd at Colonial Life Arena. From the opening tip, the Huskies set the tone, playing with an intensity and poise that left the Gamecocks struggling to keep pace.

Offensive Prowess: UConn’s Shooting Display

One of the most striking aspects of UConn’s victory was their offensive performance. The Huskies shot an astounding 58% from the field, including 41% from three-point range, silencing a raucous home crowd that had been used to seeing their team suffocate opponents defensively. UConn’s ability to stretch the floor, hitting timely three-pointers and attacking the rim, created an offensive juggernaut that was difficult for South Carolina to slow down.

Aaliyah Edwards and Azzi Fudd led the charge for UConn, scoring in a variety of ways and creating mismatches that South Carolina struggled to deal with. Edwards finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, providing a constant presence in the post, while Fudd added 18 points and hit key shots from beyond the arc to help bury the Gamecocks early.

UConn’s offensive diversity—be it Fudd’s long-range shooting, Edwards’ dominance in the paint, or the contributions from other key players—meant that South Carolina could not key in on a single aspect of their game. The Huskies were simply too good across the board.

Defensive Masterclass: Stifling South Carolina’s Attack

Equally impressive was UConn’s defense, which effectively neutralized South Carolina’s star players. The Gamecocks, a team known for their physical play and depth, were forced into uncomfortable situations on the offensive end. Breein Tyree and Zia Cooke, the Gamecocks’ primary scorers, found themselves under constant pressure from UConn’s defenders. Tyree, who had been one of the best shooters in the nation this season, struggled mightily in this game, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

South Carolina’s offense, which had been firing on all cylinders throughout the season, was suffocated by UConn’s suffocating defensive schemes. The Huskies’ ability to close out on shooters, disrupt passing lanes, and force turnovers limited the Gamecocks’ offensive flow. UConn’s defense didn’t just stop South Carolina from scoring—it made them question their shot selection, their pace, and their overall strategy.

UConn’s Big-Game Mentality

What truly set UConn apart in this game was their ability to perform in a high-pressure environment. The Huskies have a rich history of success in March Madness and big-time games, and they showed that experience on this night. Playing in a sold-out Colonial Life Arena against the No. 4 team in the country, UConn’s players did not flinch. They executed their game plan with precision, and when South Carolina tried to claw back into the game in the second half, the Huskies were ready, responding with clutch shots and stops to keep the Gamecocks at bay.

South Carolina’s Struggles: Defensive Breakdown and Offensive Inconsistencies

For South Carolina, this game represented everything that could go wrong in a single outing. The loss was a combination of breakdowns in several key areas, from their defense to their offensive execution.

Defensive Lapses and Missed Assignments

South Carolina’s defense, which had been one of the cornerstones of their 71-game home streak, was simply not up to par in this game. The Gamecocks, known for their suffocating full-court pressure and tough man-to-man defense, allowed UConn to shoot over 50% from the field and 41% from three-point range. UConn’s offense wasn’t just efficient—it was wide open in key moments, with several wide-open shots that resulted from South Carolina failing to rotate properly or contest shots.

In particular, UConn’s ability to stretch the floor exposed South Carolina’s defensive limitations. The Gamecocks were forced to scramble on defense as UConn’s sharpshooters found space in the corners, leading to an array of uncontested three-pointers. This defensive breakdown, combined with UConn’s relentless ball movement, left South Carolina scrambling to regain control.

Offensive Inconsistencies: A Struggle to Find a Rhythm

South Carolina’s offense, usually a well-oiled machine that relies on quick ball movement, sharp shooting, and aggressive play in transition, struggled to find a rhythm against UConn’s stifling defense. The Gamecocks were unable to establish any flow offensively, with too many possessions bogged down by missed shots, forced passes, and a lack of ball movement.

A’ja Wilson, one of the nation’s premier players, was largely ineffective in this game, finishing with just 14 points and 6 rebounds. The lack of spacing and flow in the Gamecocks’ offense allowed UConn to focus their attention on Wilson, preventing her from getting easy touches in the post. With the Huskies crowding the paint and contesting every shot, South Carolina’s offense looked disjointed and forced.

In addition, the Gamecocks’ supporting cast, including players like Breein Tyree and Zia Cooke, also struggled to find their shots. The Gamecocks’ shooting woes were compounded by the fact that they couldn’t generate enough easy opportunities in transition or off turnovers, two areas where they had excelled throughout the season.

The End of the Streak: The Bigger Picture

While the loss and the end of the 71-game home winning streak is certainly disappointing for South Carolina, it’s important to put the result into context. Streaks like this are difficult to maintain, no matter how dominant a team is. And while this particular defeat stings, especially on their home floor, it’s unlikely to derail South Carolina’s aspirations for the season.

A Humbling Experience

The loss provides a valuable opportunity for South Carolina to recalibrate. Head coach Dawn Staley has built a program that is resilient, adaptable, and determined to compete at the highest level. The defeat to UConn serves as a humbling reminder that even the best teams are vulnerable on any given night, and there’s always room for improvement. For Staley, this loss can be a turning point—a moment of reflection that pushes the team to grow and work harder to address its weaknesses.

Looking Ahead: The Road to March Madness

South Carolina’s goal for the season remains clear: to contend for a national championship. While the loss to UConn will surely be a topic of conversation for the coming weeks, the Gamecocks must quickly shift their focus to the bigger picture. With the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament on the horizon, South Carolina’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity will be key in determining their future success.

Staley and her players will take lessons from this loss, both on and off the court, and move forward with renewed purpose. In a sport as competitive as women’s college basketball, a single loss doesn’t define a team’s season, and the Gamecocks have more than enough talent and leadership to rebound and make a deep run in the postseason.

 The 71-Game Streak May Be Over, but the Legacy Remains

While South Carolina’s 71-game home winning streak has come to an end in dramatic fashion at the hands of UConn, it’s important to remember that the streak was a testament to the Gamecocks’ dominance over the years. Their ability to consistently protect their home court and win at the highest level has redefined expectations for women’s college basketball.

This loss doesn’t erase that legacy. It simply highlights the fact that even the best teams have their moments of vulnerability. For South Carolina, the challenge now is to learn from this humbling defeat and use it to fuel their postseason ambitions. As they head into March Madness, the Gamecocks will have a renewed sense of focus and determination, knowing that the road to the national title is long, and every game presents new opportunities for greatness.

The end of the streak is just one chapter in the ongoing story of South Carolina basketball. And while it’s certainly a setback, it is

by no means the end of the Gamecocks’ pursuit of greatness. They will be back, and when the NCAA Tournament begins, they’ll be hungry for redemption, eager to prove that they are still one of the most formidable teams in the country.