Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma hugs guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Geno Auriemma, Paige Bueckers shared emotional hug in title win

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 7:24 PM ET

Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers shared an emotional hug amid UConn’s 82-59 victory over South Carolina at Amalie Arena in Tampa to win the national championship on Sunday.

Bueckers checked out of the game with the Huskies leading the Gamecocks 82-53 with 1:32 left. The senior guard shared a lengthy embrace with her head coach. Bueckers was crying, knowing that she had won a championship in what was her final college game.

This moment between Geno and Paige pic.twitter.com/qiDFeObdPW
— ESPN (@espn) April 6, 2025

The championship was the 12th for Auriemma and first for Bueckers, who has dealt with injuries during her Huskies career. The combination of seeing what Bueckers went through with where she is now led the 71-year-old to be emotional.

“I love you. That’s all I can say. I love you,” Auriemma said was his message to Bueckers.

Bueckers scored 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting in what was her final game with UConn. Teammates Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd led the way for UConn with 24 points apiece.

There was no doubt about UConn’s excellence this season. The Huskies finished 37-3 and demolished their competition in the Final Four, beating UCLA by 34 and South Carolina by 33.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: