Halftime: UConn 36, South Carolina 26
The Huskies look like the much better team after one half, as the Gamecocks are having a difficult time keeping up offensively.
Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong have combined to score 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting for UConn. Conversely, the entire South Carolina team has 26 points on 10-of-32 shooting.
The Huskies are up big despite hitting only one shot from beyond the arc.
The Gamecocks will have to find answers on both ends of the floor to close the gap in the second half.
Officials are allowing physicality
Connecticut has only five free throws and South Carolina six in the final minute of the first half as officials are letting these teams play in the low post. That kind of game probably benefits UConn most, because it is used to not needing free throws to win. The Huskies average only 11 per game, ranking 339th out of 353 Division I teams this season.
UConn is staying steady in front
The Huskies have opened up a 29-22 lead with 3:50 left in the first half.
South Carolina’s offense is struggling to keep up. The Gamecocks are shooting only 36% from the field after a hot start.
Azzi Fudd continues to shine, she’s up to 11 points.
Joyce Edwards picks up tough second foul
Joyce Edwards went to the bench with 7:17 left in the second quarter after picking up her second foul on a Paige Bueckers jumper.
ESPN rules analyst Violet Palmer disagreed with the call on the broadcast, saying the contact was minimal and came late.
UConn dictating pace early
The Huskies have looked more comfortable with the speed of the game thus far, something that was seen on South Carolina coach Dawn Staley's face as she directed guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to play faster late in the second quarter after Fulwiley had her dribble stolen. The Gamecocks typically jump on opponents early, but today they have a different challenge to overcome.
End of first: UConn 19, South Carolina 14
A fun first quarter that featured a lot of offense.
Azzi Fudd leads all scorers with 7 points.
Chloe Kitts leads the Gamecocks with 4.
The Huskies shot 52.9% in the opening period compared to 40% for South Carolina.
UConn has a slim lead at the under-four timeout
The Huskies are up 15-13 with 3:59 to go in the first quarter.
Every single UConn starter has scored. Azzi Fudd leads all players with 5 points.
Chloe Kitts leads the Gamecocks with 4 points.
Mistake gives South Carolina's Kitts two fouls
Gamecocks post Chloe Kitts is in foul trouble early in the first quarter after an apparent officiating mistake that ended with a second foul being called on her when Kitts was nowhere near the action. This can be changed during a break in play, and I'm sure South Carolina coach Dawn Staley will lobby officials to correct it.
Both teams are off to an incredibly hot start
Great offense through the game’s first five minutes, as the teams have combined to shoot 11-of-18 from the field — a 61.1% clip.
Neither team has led by more than three. UConn is up 13-11 with 5:02 to go.
We’re off!
Will South Carolina win its second straight national championship?
Will UConn return to glory?
The rematch of the 2022 title game is underway!