Connecticut, Louisville Win, Will Meet In Women’s NCAA Title Game
Connecticut and Louisville each won national semifinals in New Orleans on Sunday night to advance to the 2013 NCAA women's national championship on Tuesday.
Connecticut 83, Notre Dame 65
Breanna Stewart scored a career-high 29 points, and Connecticut beat Notre Dame, 83-65, in the 2013 NCAA women's Final Four in New Orleans on Sunday night. Connecticut (34-4) jumped out to a 39-29 lead at halftime and extended the edge with a dominant second half. Normally outstanding Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins had just 10 points on 3-for-15 shooting. Kayla McBride led the Fighting Irish (35-2) with 16 points.
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 16 points for the Huskies, who advanced to play Louisville for the national championship on Tuesday night. Connecticut advanced to the national title game for the first time since 2010. The Fighting Irish defeated the Huskies in the past two Final Fours and in three contests this season. Connecticut previously beat Louisville in January in a match-up of the Big East squads.
Louisville 64, California 57
Antonita Slaughter scored 18 points, on six, 3-point baskets, and Louisville rallied to beat California, 64-57, in the 2013 NCAA women's Final Four in New Orleans on Sunday night. The Cardinals (29-8) came from behind after trailing by 10 points at halftime. Bria Smith scored 17 for Louisville, which advanced to play Connecticut for the national championship on Tuesday night. The university's men's team will play Michigan for the national title on Monday in Atlanta.
Layshia Clarendon scored 17 points for California (32-4), which stormed to a 37-27 lead at halftime thanks to a significant rebounding advantage. The Golden Bears saw their lead evaporate for good with 3:40 remaining in the game. Gennifer Brandon added 12 for Cal.
It was Louisville's third straight victory over a higher-seeded opponent. The Cardinals beat top-ranked Baylor and then perennial power Tennessee to advance to the Final Four. The school advanced to the women's national championship game for the first time since 2009.