NCAA Women’s Tournament 2025: Gamecocks return to national championship

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament continues Friday with Final Four action in Tampa, Florida.

[Read more: 2025 Women’s March Madness Schedule: Dates, locations, channels, how to watch]

First, South Carolina kept its title defense alive as it dominated fellow No. 1 seed Texas. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley will now compete for her fourth NCAA title, while freshman star forward Joyce Edwards seeks her first.

Now, No. 2 seed UConn is attempting to march past the point where it fell short last year, as Paige Bueckers seeks her second national championship appearance. The Huskies will have to get past a hungry and feisty top-seeded UCLA, which is seeking its first Final Four victory and title game appearance in women’s program history.

Here are the highlights!

No. 2 seed UConn vs. No. 1 seed UCLA

Defending national champion and No. 1 seed South Carolina returns to title game after rout of fellow No. 1 seed Texas 

Defending national champion South Carolina left no doubt it would return to the title game, getting 14 points from Te-Hina Paopao and overwhelming Texas on Friday night, 74-57, in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

The Gamecocks are a win away from becoming the first team to secure consecutive titles since UConn won four straight from 2013-16. 

Edwards added 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for South Carolina (35-3), which used its experience and poise to weather an early deficit and took control with its depth at both ends of the floor.

Three South Carolina players finished in double figures — Bree Hall had 11 points — and the Gamecocks dominated Texas in the post with 40 points in the paint to the Longhorns’ 22.

Madison Booker had 11 points and three fouls for the Longhorns (35-4), who were trying to reach their first championship since 1986. They were in the Final Four for the first time since 2003 after a dominant season, which was their first in the SEC after coming over from the Big 12.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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