UConn and South Carolina met again in a long-anticipated national title rematch. Back in 2022, Dawn Staley’s squad made history, handing Geno Auriemma his first championship game loss. Fast forward two years, and UConn flipped the script in dramatic fashion. On Sunday, the Huskies didn’t just win they overwhelmed the Gamecocks, cruising to an 82–59 victory and their 12th national championship. This was Paige Bueckers’ crowning moment and Geno’s comeback.
As fans digested the blowout, South Carolina icon and Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson took to Threads with her take. Her first post playfully jabbed her teammate Kiah Stokes, a proud UConn alum who had every reason to celebrate. Wilson, always candid and humorous, wrote: “I know Kiah loves me so I’m not worried 😂 UConn big three was eating all tourney 😮💨 congrats to the huskies.” Honest. Respectful. A little painful.
That post packed a punch. “I know Kiah loves me” was classic A’ja keeping the banter light while acknowledging the sting. And the rest? A straight-up salute to UConn’s “big three”: Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and standout freshman Sarah Strong. They didn’t just show up they dominated. Fudd dropped 24 and earned Most Outstanding Player honors. Strong, in her first year, matched that with 24 points and 15 rebounds. And Bueckers, in her final college game, put up 17 and cemented herself as the third-highest scorer in NCAA Tournament history with 477 points. They were locked in from the jump, and A’ja gave credit where it was due.
She followed that with a GIF someone faking nausea. Not shade, but a gut-level reaction to seeing her alma mater get rolled. UConn forced 19 turnovers and held South Carolina to just 18% from deep. It was Dawn Staley’s worst loss as head coach. For someone who helped lay the foundation for the Gamecocks’ rise, the loss hit hard. That GIF? It said it all.
Wilson’s next post: “Paige’s journey is truly special!” a nod deeper than stats. Bueckers had battled through serious injuries but kept grinding, kept leading. Even when she wasn’t scoring, she made an impact. And off the court, she’s used her voice to support and uplift Black women in sports, showing leadership beyond the game.
Then came the final message, a heartfelt send-off: “and e’YEA forever loving the cocks over here!! Great season! 👏🏽” The pain was real, but so was the pride. Wilson stayed true to the program she helped build, celebrating their journey even in defeat.
Dawn Staley: No Excuses, No Spin
True to form, Staley didn’t sugarcoat a thing postgame. “They beat our ass, but they didn’t make us like it there’s a difference,” she said. Her Gamecocks came in 38–0, chasing perfection. But they walked out with a single, crushing loss.
Early on, their defensive plan running UConn off the arc was working. “We protected the 3-point line,” Staley noted. At halftime, they were only down 10 and winning the rebounding battle. But they couldn’t find the bottom of the net. Missed layups, turnovers, cold shooting UConn capitalized every time. “They make you pay,” Staley said.
As Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong found their rhythm, UConn pulled away. “The 3s they hit were momentum shifters,” Staley admitted. And once the lead hit double digits, it was out of reach. Defensive lapses and poor ball screen coverage sealed it.
South Carolina finished with just 34% shooting, two made threes, and 13 turnovers. It was one of those nights. But Staley still saw growth. “Although the score may not reflect it, I thought we executed better,” she said.
And make no mistake this won’t derail them. Staley’s built a powerhouse in Columbia. Losses like this? They don’t end eras. They fuel them.
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