South Carolina vs Connecticut

South Carolina delivered a stunning defensive masterclass to upset No. 1 seed UConn and punch their ticket to the Championship. The Gamecocks trailed 26-24 at halftime but completely dominated the second half, outscoring the Huskies 38-22. South Carolina built a commanding 15-point lead behind a devastating 10-2 run in the third quarter that shifted all momentum. UConn fought back briefly with a 9-2 run of their own, but it wasn't enough to stop the Gamecocks' relentless pressure. The Huskies' offense sputtered down the stretch, hitting a critical scoring drought in the fourth quarter. South Carolina sealed the deal with an 11-1 run late in the game, capped by Agot Makeer's clutch layup with 3:54 remaining, as the Gamecocks won 62-48. In a Final Four matchup between two No. 1 seeds, South Carolina's suffocating second-half defense proved to be the difference-maker.