South Carolina has solely misplaced three video games all season — two of which had been to Texas — so the Gamecocks have been shut behind UConn all season. On Friday, they outplayed them and had been the extra bodily group as they superior to their third consecutive title sport.
Loser: UConn’s unbeaten season
The Huskies entered the NCAA Event on the heels of an 11th undefeated regular season and a 13th consecutive conference tournament title. Other than a three-point win over Michigan earlier within the season, the Huskies gained each sport by double digits and had been largely untested all season.
UConn performed nicely sufficient defensively to win as soon as once more, however its second-best offense (87.9 PPG) didn’t present up and let it down on the worst attainable time.
Winner: South Carolina head coach Daybreak Staley
UConn HC Geno Auriemma could have probably the most titles in girls’s school basketball historical past (12), however Staley is just not far behind. Her three titles solely path Auriemma, Pat Summit (eight) and Kim Mulkey (4). Moreover, she is now the fourth HC in the women’s game to achieve three consecutive championship video games, becoming a member of Joe Ciampi, Summit and Auriemma.
All 4 of them are within the girls’s basketball Corridor of Fame, but when Staley can add one other title to her accolades after ending UConn’s good season within the course of, her legend will solely proceed to develop.
Loser: Geno Auriemma’s meltdown
Auriemma took challenge with the foul disparity between South Carolina and UConn by going off throughout his in-game interview. He adopted that up by having a verbal trade with Staley that turned heated because the groups went to shake arms on the finish of the sport.
He is likely one of the greatest coaches within the historical past of the game (males or girls). He might also have a degree in regards to the foul calls all through the sport. With that stated, the justifications and postgame altercation with Staley solely add some intrigue to their rivalry.
Winner: UCLA’s first journey to title sport
The offense was non-obligatory, however the Bruins overcame 23 turnovers and defeated the Longhorns, 51-44, to achieve this system’s first nationwide title sport. Even with scoring arduous to return by, senior middle Lauren Betts had 16 factors (7-of-10 FG) and 11 rebounds as UCLA heads into Sunday’s tilt in opposition to South Carolina with a title on the road.
Loser: Texas’ dismal offense
Whereas UCLA nonetheless managed to shoot 41% from the sphere, Texas was solely 20-of-65 (31%). Junior ahead Madison Booker was held to simply six factors (3-of-23 FG) because the Longhorns did not get something going your entire sport with their lowest level whole of the season.
