Following almost a decade of heartache and close calls, the UConn Huskies reign supreme again in women's college basketball.

The No. 2 seeded Huskies captured their 12th NCAA championship with a dominating 82-59 victory over South Carolina in the title game, capping a glorious return to dominance following years of frustration and injuries.

A Long-Awaited Redemption Story

UConn Reclaims NCAA Crown: Huskies Capture 12th Women’s Title After UConn Reclaims NCAA Crown: Huskies Capture 12th Women’s Title After
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After losing their last one in 2016, UConn suffered through a series of semifinal disappointments and injury losses, chief among them being star guard Paige Bueckers. Sunday, though, brought it all full circle, according to Sports Illustrated.

Bueckers, healthily and vengefully, completed her collegiate career by ultimately winning the national championship that had slipped through her fingers.

The veteran star, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, left the game with more than a minute to go, exchanging a tearful hug with head coach Geno Auriemma.

The Emergence of a New Star: Sarah Strong

Freshman forward Sarah Strong was a surprise during the tournament, breaking the NCAA freshman scoring mark with 114 points.

Championship night found her producing a powerhouse effort with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, cementing her status as the program's future face.

Strong's postseason excellence involved shattering records held by legends such as Tamika Catchings. She also became the first player, irrespective of class, to achieve 100 points, 25 assists, and 10 blocks in a single tournament since 1988.

Azzi Fudd Shines Brightest in Final Four

Guard Azzi Fudd, out for most of last season with a knee injury, was revived in the title game with 24 points and was named Most Outstanding Player.

With Fudd and Bueckers both healthy for the first time all season, UConn looked like its old dynasty self: concentrated, explosive, and relentless.

Geno Auriemma Adds Another Milestone

According to ESPN, this victory makes 71-year-old Geno Auriemma the oldest Division I NCAA basketball title winner. He has 12 titles now, more than solidifying his place among the greatest coaches in the sport's history. Auriemma confessed that there were times in recent years he considered retiring, but Sunday's win recharged his passion.

"I think there's a lot of people counting on me to keep doing what I'm doing at UConn -- all my team, all my staff," Auriemma said. "I think they're counting on me to keep going and keep impacting and keep doing what we do."