DESTINY OR DOMINANCE? PAIGE BUECKERS & UCONN HUMILIATE UCLA TO WRITE FINAL FOUR HISTORY

Tampa, Fla.

What was billed as a Final Four showdown turned into a full-on basketball beatdown. Paige Bueckers may have been the star everyone came to see, but it was UConn’s depth that delivered one of the most jaw-dropping, lopsided victories in women’s NCAA Tournament history — a 34-point avalanche that buried top-seeded UCLA, 85-51, and sent the Huskies storming into their record 13th national championship game.

Yes, you read that right: UConn beat the No. 1 overall seed by THIRTY-FOUR — the largest margin ever in a women’s Final Four game.

UCLA, meet heartbreak. Geno Auriemma, meet the history books — again.

The game was all but over before halftime. UConn’s relentless defense forced 19 turnovers and silenced the Bruins beyond their All-American anchor Lauren Betts (who had a valiant 26 points). But her solo act wasn’t nearly enough. The rest of her squad? Missing in action.

But here’s the twist that has the sports world buzzing: this game wasn’t even about Paige Bueckers — at least, not in the way you’d expect. While the presumptive No. 1 pick in this month’s WNBA Draft chipped in a modest (for her) 16 points, it was freshman phenom Sarah Strong and comeback queen Azzi Fudd who lit the fuse. They combined for 41 points, turning the court into their personal highlight reel and turning doubts into receipts.

Fudd, rising from the ashes of injury-riddled seasons, came out swinging with 19 points in the first half alone — practically outscoring UCLA herself. Strong followed suit with 22 points, earning a seat at the same table as legends Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart as one of only three UConn freshmen to score 20+ in a Final Four game.

This wasn’t just a win. This was a message.

For years, critics whispered that UConn had lost its dominance. That Geno’s dynasty had cracks. That other programs had caught up. Friday night? UConn didn’t just shut down those narratives — they bulldozed them.

And now, it’s time for a revenge rematch.

Sunday’s title clash against defending champion South Carolina is a rerun of their 2022 heartbreak. Only this time, the Huskies are favored, and they already thrashed the Gamecocks by 29 back in February. So buckle up — we could be on the brink of a new era. Or a redemptive finish to the old one.

Bueckers has been here before. This time, she’s not alone. This time, UConn is deep, dangerous, and dialed in.

As the clock ticks toward the championship game, one thing is clear: The Huskies aren’t just chasing history — they’re rewriting it.