The UConn Huskies and Texas Longhorns are set to join the South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament. This highly anticipated event will take place in Tampa, Florida, after both teams secured their victories in the Elite Eight contests on Monday night. The Huskies and Longhorns have demonstrated remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament, earning their spots alongside the reigning national champion Gamecocks and the top-overall seed Bruins.
In a thrilling match in Spokane, Washington, the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies emerged victorious against the No. 1 seed University of Southern California Trojans with a score of 78-64. USC’s strategy focused on containing UConn’s national player of the year finalist, Paige Bueckers. However, the Huskies’ freshman forward Sarah Strong stepped up, scoring an impressive 15 points in the first half. Bueckers managed to contribute with a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute of the half, bringing her total to 13 points and giving the Big East champs a 39-25 lead at intermission. Despite USC’s strong third-quarter comeback, the Huskies’ offense re-established a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, thanks to timely shooting from Bueckers and senior guard Azzi Fudd. Bueckers finished with a game-high 31 points, while Strong added 22 points and 17 rebounds.
The UConn Huskies, a women’s college basketball dynasty, will be making their record-extending 24th Final Four appearance under head coach Geno Auriemma, who is in his 40th season. Auriemma praised his team’s ability to play hard together and trust each other, highlighting their resilience and unity. The Huskies will continue their quest for their 12th national championship as they face the No. 1 overall seed Bruins in the semifinals on Friday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Auriemma expressed his pride in his team’s ability to make big plays when needed, attributing their success to a strong team dynamic and a winning mentality.
Earlier in the evening, the Texas Longhorns secured their spot in the Final Four for the fourth time in program history and the first since 2003. No. 1 seed Texas defeated No. 2 seed Texas Christian University 58-47 in the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Alabama. The Longhorns dominated the game, never trailing in the Lone Star State showdown at Legacy Arena. The first half was a defensive battle, with Texas leading 23-21 at the half and holding TCU to its lowest-scoring first half this season. Texas managed to keep TCU’s big three in check, with senior guard Hailey Van Lith scoring 17 points on 3-of-15 shooting, senior center Sedona Prince fouling out after scoring just four points, and senior guard Madison Conner contributing nine points on 4-of-11 shooting. Sophomore forward Madison Booker led Texas with 18 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while senior guard Rori Harmon added 13 points and five assists.
The Texas Longhorns will face the South Carolina Gamecocks in a semifinal clash on Friday in Tampa. The Longhorns and Gamecocks have a competitive history, with Texas holding a 1-1 record against South Carolina in the regular season. Texas lost 67-50 on January 12 in Columbia, South Carolina, but managed to secure a victory with a 66-62 win on February 9 in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns also faced a tough loss to South Carolina in the SEC tournament final on March 9, with a final score of 64-45. As both teams prepare for their semifinal showdown, fans can expect an intense and closely contested game.
The journey to the Final Four for both the UConn Huskies and Texas Longhorns has been marked by resilience, teamwork, and exceptional individual performances. As they prepare to face off against the South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins, respectively, the stage is set for an unforgettable NCAA women’s basketball tournament. With the support of their coaches, teammates, and fans, these teams will undoubtedly give their all in pursuit of the national championship.
