UConn Huskies Dominate Notre Dame to Secure Final Four Berth
The UConn Huskies women's basketball team continued their historic unbeaten run, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70-52 on Sunday to clinch a spot in the Final Four. This victory marks their 54th consecutive win, extending an impressive streak that has captivated the NCAA Tournament.
Star Performances Propel Huskies to Victory
All-America forward Sarah Strong led the charge with 21 points, while Blanca Quiñonez contributed 20 points in a commanding performance. Azzi Fudd, another first-team AP All-America selection, added 13 points and four assists, showcasing the depth of UConn's roster. The Huskies, now 38-0 this season, are aiming for their 13th national championship under coach Geno Auriemma, who will be making his 25th Final Four appearance.
For Notre Dame, Hannah Hidalgo put up a valiant effort with 22 points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals that increased her NCAA single-season record to 202 and her single NCAA Tournament mark to 29. However, she also recorded five turnovers, marking the first time in her 10 NCAA Tournament games where she had more turnovers than steals.
Historic Rivalry and UCLA's Comeback Win
This game was the ninth NCAA Tournament meeting between UConn and Notre Dame, but the first with a Final Four spot at stake. In previous encounters, both teams had advanced to the Final Four in all eight prior meetings, with the last occurring in 2019 when Notre Dame defeated UConn in the semifinals before losing to Baylor in the championship game.
In Sunday's other Elite Eight matchup, UCLA rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Duke and secure their place in the Final Four for the second consecutive season. Lauren Betts starred with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, leading the top-seeded Bruins to a hard-fought victory. UCLA, now 35-1, will face either Texas or Michigan in the national semi-finals in Phoenix, as they pursue the program's first NCAA title.
Duke, seeded third, challenged UCLA with a strong performance from Taina Mair, who scored 21 points. The Blue Devils had advanced to the Elite Eight on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Ashlon Jackson against LSU in the Sweet 16, but fell short in the regional final for the second year in a row.
The stage is set for an exciting Final Four in Phoenix, with UConn looking to continue their dominance and UCLA aiming to make history with their first championship win.
