PHOENIX ? South Carolina beat UConn 62-48 in the women's Final Four on Friday night, ending the Huskies' unbeaten season and sending the Gamecocks to the national title game for the fourth time in five years.

In its game report, The Associated Press said South Carolina held UConn to 31.1% shooting and limited Sarah Strong to 12 points as the Gamecocks snapped a 54-game winning streak.

The game also carried a visible dispute between coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. AP later reported that the two spoke after the game and tried to move attention back to the sport after their heated exchange became a major talking point.

South Carolina's win set up a title matchup that AP's championship report later said ended with UCLA claiming its first national championship two days later.

For South Carolina, the semifinal showed again how defense and physical control remain central to the program's hold on the top tier of the women's game.