Baylor holds off Notre Dame in thriller to win third women's national championship in school history
CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORETAMPA, Fla. — Behind a typically strong performance from its frontcourt and feisty defense from its perimeter players, Baylor fended off Notre Dame, 82-81, to claim the national championship and a place in women’s college basketball history.
This year saw the Bears assume the top spot in the polls in January and never look back, ripping off a 29-game winning streak to end the season that featured just four games decided by single digits. But Notre Dame would close to within 11 points to end the third quarter and open the fourth on a 19-8 run to tie the score at 74-74. The game was again tied at 80-80 on the Bears' final possession, when guard Chloe Jackson drove to her right off another screen and past two Notre Dame defenders to put in a layup that bounced twice on the rim before falling in, giving Baylor an 82-80 lead with 3.9 seconds left.3.9 to play! #WFinalFour#NationalChampionship | @BaylorWBBpic.twitter.
As predicted, Baylor held a significant edge in the post despite losing junior forward Lauren Cox to a knee injury with over a minute left in the third quarter. The Bears were paced by Kalani Brown, a senior center, who scored 20 and added 13 rebounds. But Jackson was the game's star, scoring a team-high 26 points to go with 5 assists.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Baylor holds off Notre Dame 82-81 for women's titleTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baylor recovered after blowing a 17-point lead and losing a star player, beating Notre Dame 82-81 for the NCAA women's basketball championship Sunday night when 2018 tournament...
Read more »
Before battling for national title, Notre Dame and Baylor coaches take view from rarefied perch'It is so hard to win championships,' Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey said Saturday, the day before both she and Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw will attempt to become the third women's basketball coach with at least three NCAA championships.
Read more »
Women's Final Four semifinal breakdown: Baylor vs. Oregon and Connecticut vs. Notre DameBreaking down the matchups of national powers Connecticut, Notre Dame and Baylor, along with newcomer Oregon, at the Women's Final Four.
Read more »
'There are not enough women leaders': Notre Dame coach claims men hold too much powerMuffett McGraw said the lack of women leaders in the U.S. was a worrying sign for future generations.
Read more »
Notre Dame women headed back to title game after late rally to knock off ConnecticutIn a wild game featuring nine ties and 26 lead changes, the defending national champs wiped out a late nine-point deficit to hand archrival Connecticut an 81-76 defeat in Friday’s Final Four semifinal.
Read more »
No. 1 Notre Dame blasts No. 2 Stanford to make Final FourJackie Young's 25-point, 10-rebound double-double Monday night helped top-s...
Read more »