South Carolina’s women’s basketball team suffered its worst loss in years after being beaten by UConn 87-58 on its home floor. 

The loss snapped a 71-game home winning streak dating back to 2020 and a four-game winning streak over UConn. It was also the team’s biggest loss on its home court since 2008. 

UConn’s offense was highly productive, while the Gamecocks struggled. The Huskies hit 44% of their shots and made 46% from behind the three-point line. South Carolina was nowhere near those marks, shooting 38% from the floor and 18% from three. 

“They got 13 threes. You hit 13 threes, it’s damaging to your defense from a physical and psychological standpoint,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “I’m going to stick a little bit closer. And then, the driving lanes opened up because you’re sticking a little bit closer, and you’re not in your gap help. They made you think about all of those things, and they had their way with us. There’s just no trying to find a silver lining to it.” 

The Huskies took control of the game early, jumping to a 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. UConn extended its lead in the second quarter after outscoring the Gamecocks 24-9. 

The second half went no better for the Gamecocks as UConn continued to hit shots and gain separation. South Carolina was outscored in every quarter and failed to respond to the numerous UConn runs. 

Four Huskie players reached double-digit scoring. Azzi Fudd led the way with 28 points. Sarah Strong had a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double. Star Paige Bueckers scored 12 points and Kaitlyn Chen had 10. 

South Carolina was also dominated on the glass. The Gamecocks grabbed 29 boards while UConn had 48, including 15 offensive for 11 second-chance points. 

Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks in scoring with 17 points off the bench. MiLaysia Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao added 11 and 10 points respectively. 

This loss was South Carolina’s lowest-scoring outing so far this season. It was also the most points they’ve allowed in a game this year. The Gamecocks have now lost two of their last three contests. 

After the game, Staley expressed her disappointment in the Gamecocks' effort on offense and physicality on both ends. She wants to see the team respond by reverting back to who they have been all season. 

“You have to look at who we are, who we’ve been 25 games in. Who are we? And you get back to that. You get back to showing them who we are,” Staley said. “I think we’re a little fatigued mentally and physically, just a gauntlet of a season. But there comes a time when you can regroup and get it back. Now would be the perfect time to do that.”

The Gamecocks fell to 23-3 and dropped to No. 6 in the latest AP poll. All three losses have come against a team in the top five. No. 2 Texas evened the series with South Carolina after a 66-62 win on Feb. 9. No. 3 UCLA beat the Gamecocks 77-62 on Nov. 24. And now, No. 5 UConn holds a win over the Gamecocks. 

It is possible South Carolina could see any of these teams again in the NCAA tournament. It is also possible to play Texas for a third time in the SEC tournament. 

But before that, the Gamecocks will look to end their regular season on a high note. The team has four games left, including its season finale against No. 14 Kentucky. 

The SEC tournament is set to begin on March 5 and selection Sunday is scheduled for March 16. 

This week, South Carolina will look to bounce back from its loss to UConn with a home game against Arkansas. The Razorbacks are currently last in the SEC standings with a 2-10 conference record. Tip-off is this Thursday at 7 p.m.

“​​We’ve got to get things back on track,” Staley said. “We’ve got a chance to start a new streak on Thursday, and we’ve got to get back at it.”