NASHVILLE – The University of Connecticut won its second straight NCAA women’s basketball championship Tuesday night, running past Notre Dame 79-58 at Bridgestone Arena.
The Huskies won their record ninth NCAA title behind 21 points and nine rebounds from Breanna Stewart. Stefanie Dolson contributed 17 points with a season-high 16 rebounds as UConn broke open a close game to outscore the Irish 18-4 to begin the second half.
Stewart, just a sophomore, was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player for the second time, the fifth player ever to earn the honor twice.
In what was the only championship game in men’s or women’s tournament history showcasing unbeaten opponents, the Huskies scored 16 unanswered points after Notre Dame took its only lead of the game, 8-6. Connecticut led 45-38 at intermission and used the early second half spurt to lead by as many as 24.
Dave Ryan, Debbie Antonelli and Krista Blunk called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.
(Breanna Stewart hits another layup for a 16-0 run and 22-8 lead, and Notre Dame can’t handle UConn’s size)
[podcast id='1']
(Stewart regains her balance for another score, staking the Huskies to a 37-25 lead)
[podcast id='2']
(Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd brings the Irish within 5, 43-38, with a deep 3-pointer)
[podcast id='3']
(Stewart and Moriah Jefferson hit consecutive layups to push the lead to 53-40)
[podcast id='4']
(Stefanie Dolson extends the lead to 17, 59-42, with 14:13 still to play)
[podcast id='5']
(A 3-pointer from Bria Hartley puts Connecticut ahead by 22, 69-47)
[podcast id='6']
(UConn finishes 40-0 to win its second straight title and its record ninth overall)
[podcast id='0']
(Postgame interview with Connecticut’s Stefanie Dolson)
[podcast id='7']
(Postgame interview with Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart)
[podcast id='8']
(Postgame interview with Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma)
[podcast id='9']
(Postgame recap with Dave Ryan, Debbie Antonelli and Krista Blunk)
[podcast id='10']
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