NCAA Women’s Final Four live winners and losers: Updates on South Carolina, UConn, Texas, UCLA originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Friday’s slate of games sets up nicely for competitive games, resulting in the National Championship matchup. South Carolina Gamecocks vs the UConn Huskies is not only a matchup of 1s vs 1s, it’s also a rematch. Last year UConn defeated South Carolina 82-59 in the National Championship game.
The semifinal game tonight has been rather close. South Carolina has held the lead for exactly 51% of the game as of the start of the 4th quarter.
The first “winner” is Women’s College Basketball fans. After the Elite Eight round that included not one single close game, UConn vs S. Carolina has been exactly what fans need. Two elite programs battling it out in a close, competitive game.
Raven Johnson (S.CAR): Johnson drew the assignment of defending Sarah Strong. Johnson is giving up 5″ in size but has held Strong to only 12 points on 4 of 16 shooting.
Ta’Niya Latson (S.CAR): First double-double in a Final Four. After sacrificing to play for South Carolina.
Dawn Staley’s post-game press conference response to the post game handshake issue. Coach Staley did not want that situation to deflect for the content of the game.
Azzi Fudd in the post-game press conference. She received a difficult question about emotions after her final game. After attempting to fight back the emotion, she delivered an incredible answer.
Television viewers are the winner again, at least early. In the 3rd quarter, this game is still close. The largest lead has been +10, and the closest lead was only +3.
UCLA big Lauren Betts. The only dominant player that’s playing like it. 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting, 10 rebounds and two blocks, with the 4th quarter yet to be played.
Fans got the finish in the Texas vs UCLA game they did not get from the end of the South Carolina vs UConn game. While shots falling wasn’t consistent, the energy and fight from both teams were.
Lauren Betts was the best part of this game. The Bruins frontcourt leader, not only dropped 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting, she also kept Texas’ Madison Booker in check most of the game.
UCLA head coach Cori Chase. She was visibly fighting back the emotion after securing her first ever National Championship game.
Anyone rooting for a blowout when these two teams face each other
The Big East after hearing Geno Auriemma’s comments between the 3rd and 4th quarter.
Kayleigh Heckel missed a wide-open layup to cut the lead with 1:07 left in the game. We’ll leave it at that as she was visibly shaken after that play.
UConn’s inability to keep it close down the stretch. After 70% of the game being extremely close, South Carolina was able to separate at the wrong time.
The post game handshake. Tempers were running hot after the 3rd quarter. Auriemma made sure to express his feelings during the post-game handshake. Which was anything but pleasant.
Coach Auriemma. The internet is humming with opinions on his post-game handshake moment.
Texas star Madison Booker (35) has gotten off to a poor start. 1 of 16 from the floor, she only has two points and five rebounds minutes away from the 4th quarter.
Anyone expecting a good shooting game. Texas is shooting 27% while UCLA is shooting 35% from the floor. With less than a minute remaining in the 3rd quarter, the combined score is 55. A number that usually would be a low scoring first half.
This game, among other factors, was about the tale of each team’s star’s performance. While Betts carried UCLA tonight, Madison Booker had a very forgettable game. Finishing the night with only six points on 3 of 23 shooting and seven rebounds. Down the stretch she had an opportunity to cut the lead to within one with under a minute to play, but tripped and almost fumbled the ball.
This game would’ve been remembered as a very exciting, high scoring affair… if it was a football game. The final score of 51-44 was the result of an awful offensive output by Texas that wasn’t much better for UCLA, if we exclude Lauren Betts.
WHAT A BLOCK FROM LAUREN BETTS 😤pic.twitter.com/d7MHVa0ydt
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 4, 2026
The Bruins are putting on a clinic 😤
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBBpic.twitter.com/ANKyzdI9ns
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
LAUREN BETTS OWNS THE PAINT 🫡
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBBpic.twitter.com/pMVxW67mEe
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Found her in the lane 💪@roriiiharmonnn ➡️ @KylaOldacre
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @TexasWBBpic.twitter.com/WgOqhdpYWp
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
COUNT THE BUCKET 😤 @JayMayya got the Longhorns on their feet!!#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @TexasWBBpic.twitter.com/lcmbKiw5mK
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Madison Booker and Lauren Betts collided. Betts fell to the floor and the back of her head hit the floor. She immediately grabbed her head. Officials are looking over a possible flagrant one. We will not post video of that impact.
Traffic in the lane? No problem for @kiki_rice0 🚙#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @UCLAWBBpic.twitter.com/A2TitZXXAU
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Olympic Rugby star Ilona Maher is in attendance
Ilona in the house 🤩#WFinalFourpic.twitter.com/MK9QL815kW
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
GOING HARD IN THE PAINT 🎨💪 @KylaOldacre
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @TexasWBBpic.twitter.com/cLt69veHiY
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
CRUMP LET’S IT FLY ✈️#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @TexasWBBpic.twitter.com/ytIMFvMcds
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
BIG TIME BLOCK 🚫 @AngelaDugalic
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @UCLAWBBpic.twitter.com/6dtZpTD1Jb
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Too smooth with the pass 😮💨#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @UCLAWBBpic.twitter.com/6eV70oggjQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
There shouldn’t be a pre-game handshake issue between Texas and UCLA
LONGHORNS AND BRUINS GOING TO BATTLE 🔥
📺 ESPN#WFinalFourpic.twitter.com/1hQIcuoInV
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Geno Auriemma said he and Dawn Staley don’t have a relationship, only describing them as rivals. “Nah, not really. We don’t have a lot in common.” pic.twitter.com/sxbQS2s2tD
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) April 4, 2026
Naww Geno you gotta take ya L like a man champ. Don’t do that to Auntie Dawn‼️ pic.twitter.com/K90ohVRGwJ
— Lou Young (@LouYoungIII) April 4, 2026
Dawn Staley shook hands pregame. But let’s call it what it is. She won 3 Olympic Gold Medals as a player. She never gives pregame ‘hugs’. I played against her. Evil eye all the way. She hates her opponent. But she’s always of integrity. Wild that she got in Geno’s head.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) April 4, 2026
Y’all surprised? This is how Geno has always been.
All-time legend as a coach, but he’s always been a sore loser. Always. https://t.co/0O0qsFRAWm
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) April 4, 2026
Look for yourself. Can’t believe Geno did this. Couldn’t take losing to Dawn Staley. Simply and plain. Horrible, horrible look for him. Straight B…. Move:https://t.co/TjnnQJMIsI
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 4, 2026
Dawn Staley just got even with Geno as South Carolina dominated UConn the way UConn dominated SCar last year. Then poor sport Geno got into it with Dawn, apparently saying she didn’t shake his hand BEFORE the game. Huh? Sure looked like she did. Go, Dawn go. He looks so bad.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 4, 2026
All of us rewatching that Geno and Dawn thing just now… pic.twitter.com/brjMsiey5k
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) April 4, 2026
Let’s be honest, Geno isn’t mad about a handshake – he’s mad his team got the butts whipped! https://t.co/qQiCPhaFSS
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 4, 2026
Geno Auriemma when he loses pic.twitter.com/Yn4IGsabY0
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin) April 4, 2026
Geno was mad that Dawn didn’t shake his hand pregame
Dawn pregame: pic.twitter.com/ajnObn3rb4
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) April 4, 2026
The collab I didn’t know I needed 🤝@ShedeurSanders x @DianaTaurasi#WFinalFourpic.twitter.com/OWGboGsl6t
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
That was some straight B.S. from the GREAT Geno Auriemma. Never — ever — thought I’d see the day when the greatest woman’s college coach in history would go down so CLASSLESSLY!!! Horrible look, and should be called out for it. He got OUTCOACHED. Plain and simple. And gets in her…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 4, 2026
@dawnstaley is my SHERO! I’m so proud of u sis. God bless
you. You are Her. @aflac
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) April 4, 2026
Dawn Staley on the heated exchange with Geno Auriemma pic.twitter.com/3kMYzFZBoQ
— Hoops (@Hoopss) April 4, 2026
An additional angle from the post-game handshake
Crazy moment between Geno and Dawn. pic.twitter.com/CspinsnxDz
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) April 4, 2026
Tempers flare during the post-game handshake between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley
Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley getting into a heated exchange during the handshake lineup…..WOW#WFinalFour#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/9X4efYQOcb
— Sammy Profeta (@profeta_sammy) April 4, 2026
Blanca got the Husky crowd TURNT UP ‼️#WFinalFour x ESPN / @uconnwbbpic.twitter.com/T5FkvbzNip
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Needed another angle 🔥 @thesarahstrong
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @UConnWBBhttps://t.co/1weZKyuCL2pic.twitter.com/EgPMnC1XjQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
Once a Husky, always a Husky! The UConn alums are HYPEEEE 🤩@paigebueckers1 x @kaitlynchenn2 x @DianaTaurasi
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @UConnWBBpic.twitter.com/p0ndJkJH7o
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2026
SARAH IS TOO STRONG 🔥#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @UConnWBBpic.twitter.com/lCxmaSQydd
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 3, 2026
.@NiyaLatson is TOO TOUGH with it 😤#WFinalFour x 🎥 ESPN / @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/uY4Dz2BdP2
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 3, 2026
Two legendary coaches meet again 🤝#WFinalFourpic.twitter.com/yB1EdTOxTC
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 3, 2026
Here comes Dawn 👀
📺 ESPN#WFinalFour x @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/kVPKkNXehM
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 3, 2026
Up next, No. 1 UCLA vs No. 1 Texas.
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