Azzi as 1-2-3! Fudd, UConn dominate South Carolina in top-10 clash

No. 7 UConn came into Columbia and stunned No. 4 South Carolina, 87-58, in a marquee non-conference women's basketball clash on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Huskies snapped the Gamecocks' 71-game winning streak at Colonial Life Arena.

UConn was scorching from the 3-point arc, shooting 46% from long-range. Azzi Fudd led the barrage, going 6-of-10, while Ashlynn Shade shot 3-for-6 from deep. That contributed to the Huskies ending the first half with a 45-23 lead.

The Gamecocks were outscored 24-9 in the second quarter, leading to the largest deficit South Carolina had faced at home since trailing the-No. 2 Stanford by 18 points on Dec. 21, 2021, according to ESPN.

The halftime break didn't rejuvenate South Carolina as the Huskies continued their sharp-shooting and built a 57-29 margin by the 5:28 mark of the third quarter. After 30 minutes, the Gamecocks trailed 70-44. Fans began to leave with 4:38 remaining in the game and the home team facing a 78-54 deficit.

Fudd scored a game-high 28 points for UConn, which improved to 24-3 (8-2 on the road). Sarah Strong followed with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Paige Bueckers added 12 points, 10 assists and seven boards.

South Carolina was led by Joyce Edwards' 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks. MiLaysia Fulwiley added 11 points and Te-Hina Paopao tallied 10. The Gamecocks dropped to 23-3 overall. Including last Sunday's defeat to No. 3 Texas, Dawn Staley's team has lost two of its past three games.

Prior to the game, South Carolina was the No. 2 overall seed in the early bracket reveal from the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee. UConn was seeded No. 7. Those rankings may change when the next top 16 is announced on Feb. 26.

The Gamecocks return to SEC play on Thursday, hosting Arkansas (9-18, 2-10) at 7 p.m. ET. UConn travels to Seton Hall (17-7, 9-4) for a Big East matchup on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.