Paige Bueckers Makes History in UConn's NCAA Championship Win

Paige Bueckers Becomes First Husky Woman Player To Sink Winning Shot in NCAA Title

A Historic Finish to a Legendary Career

In one of the most phenomenal performances in the history of NCAA women's college basketball, Paige Bueckers capped her college career in style. The UConn Huskies star drove her team to a runaway win in the 2025 NCAA women's championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Leadership from Start to Finish

Bueckers took control from tip to tip with unwavering intensity and focus. She carried UConn through the tournament with her elite scoring and leadership, punctuated by a record-breaking performance in the Sweet Sixteen against Oklahoma, where she poured in a career-high 40 points — the most ever by a UConn player in the NCAA tournament.

Breaking Records on the Biggest Stage

She was not quite through rewriting history. In the championship game versus South Carolina, Bueckers scored 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, breaking UConn’s all-time highest scoring total in NCAA tournament history. Her career total of 477 points surpassed the legendary Maya Moore, a record once thought untouchable.

"Paige Bueckers has eclipsed Maya Moore for most points in a UConn player's NCAA career," ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported postgame on social media.

A Dream Realized

Even as the records fell, the victory itself may have been most precious to Bueckers. After battling through injuries, delays, and elite competition during her college years, she finally claimed her championship moment — and did it on the sport’s biggest stage.

Praise from a Coaching Legend

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, now a 12-time national champion, credited Bueckers not only for her play but also for her resilience and heart.

"This is more important to her than it is for me," Auriemma said. "This has been her lifelong wish since the moment she started playing basketball. I am just happy to be a part of it."

South Carolina’s Perfect Season Ends in Disappointment

It was a heartbreaking loss for South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks were undefeated and heavily favored, but UConn’s fast pace and Bueckers' brilliance proved too powerful.

A Legend is Crowned

As the buzzer sounded, fans across the country realized they were witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime performance — not just a championship win, but also the coronation of a true college basketball legend.