UConn vs. Tennessee: 2003 NCAA women's national championship | FULL REPLAY

We are ready to start, Diana Taurasi's parents, she has been incredible in the tournament averaging 25.8 points per game. Cara Lawson hasn't been up to her standards, but she hopes to have a big game tonight and UConn controls the early lead well with Barbara Turner in this game. is going to switch back and forth, look at Fort Connecticut to make Tennessee play defense and Tennessee will switch their defenses in this game, but going inside, good catch and the bucket Tennessee and this or Connecticut takes the early two lead -nothing on Tennessee Mike, they Will want to push the ball as much as they can Up Tempo Connecticut wants to play them in a half court game, but Tennessee is so good at getting the ball in and it was a good start for Gwen Jackson, she makes the shot Jackson's baseline jumper eight times this year 25 points or more, even in the semifinals even though shyra Eli had six points and seven rebounds it wasn't a great game as she shot three of seven against Duke, opens the court for Gwen Jackson, this is straw, they are outside, they go back to Turner and Turner blocks a jump shot the loose ball reaches Moore for Tennessee you have to like the Connecticut offense so it's a one on one situation for Turner, They're clearing things up and opening up the middle for their Lawson offense, the point guard did a tremendous job, oh she's the key she has, she can get rebounds, but she's got the points for this Tennessee team.

Conlon receives the loose ball. Taurasi tries to position himself underneath and place him. Strother from the outside and the freshman knocks down a three. I'm telling you it's a huge basket, Mike, because Ann Strother has had trouble with her shot in playoff play and I really thought she might have hit the wall as a freshman in so many minutes while playing the ball out of bounds. the limits and Strother like. Many of her freshman colleagues seemed a little tense when she came out tonight, well, the one-on-one played by Maria Conlon to open up Strother and give him the confidence to take that shot.

Strother is now three for six in postseason games and when you're a freshman in a

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championship

game, first you have to feel really good Lori Moore, oh wow, she's only made 21 of 30 field goals in the NCAA tournament, well, the criticism of Lori Moore is that she can't hit the outside shot, especially in big games. tarasi with a long three and the rebound goes to Eli, most teams will play Lori Moore and try to keep her off the line. It's not a good pass from Carol Lawson, but I think it's a great opportunity for Tennessee and Connecticut guard Diana Trossi. she just has to make the game come to her, just don't force the three and I know it was a quick shot that Gino Aryama probably didn't want.

Conlon pits him against Moore, great pressure, defense, defu and Texas really. hitting his team are worn out, says back inside, turn around, jump shot too direct for Jessica Moore, have Summit tell her guards, Lori Moore, to push up Carol Lawson when she has it now Tennessee is a team which usually if they are a maid basket they will push it up but they are not doing it Great defense by Taurasi Helder ground against Eli temporary in two Temple is too slow for Tennessee right now and shoots today Genoa had his team reduce the time to 12 seconds and then she puts the ball in another great feat exactly what you were talking about Barbara Turner scores she has four and Yukons up by four what the perimeter players are doing for Connecticut two Mike are keeping up with his dribble they really worked on it by shooting today so if they keep their dribbling they can move if the pass is not open Eli oh Tasha makes a great cut down the middle they are going to penalize Ann Strother for the foul too much contact but Tasha really makes a good cut Genoa is not happy with the decision , but here's the pass, see how Strother keeps his dribble alive, he's changing positions now the double team came with the good pass.

Strother was first and Jackson off the field can't make the jumper, this is a Tennessee team that has been outrebounding their opponent by over 15 rebounds Connecticut felt that coming into this game they had to put on their helmets and rebound with Connecticut in the country is correct, with it in the three on a screen and hit the players other than Terrazi so far. a great night that is huge for UConn, there has been so much talk about this Connecticut team that Diana Trossi carries the load, it is the other players who are going to step forward tonight and Strother each scored a triple and the forward he just scored from the inside and shyra Eli with a response, he has four, well, it's still early.

I think Tennessee still has some catching up to do to 12-7. It's hard to imagine UConn can beat Tennessee without another great Taurasi Knight, but they got three baskets from Jessica. Moore at Point Blank Range, but Mike, this is where Taurasi really shines. I think the fact that he passes the ball so well and gets others involved once he starts doing it, everyone else in Tennessee has to play good defense in the rest of Connecticut. then Taurasi will start to intensify Lawson looks for someone inside, can't find him and takes the long jump shot. She is the best three-point shooter in Tennessee basketball history, number two in percentage, but she has made more shots than anyone.

I once played for Pat Summitt, well Carol often needed that shot too. She was up two against Duke, but she's really struggling with the outside shot from her. Taurasi is so close on those cuts that she tries for three and Lawson with a rebound. Tennessee trailing by four with the ball. bumps too hard and Taurasi with a rebound Barb Turner was hit in the face by Sasha Button right now for Connecticut Diana runs out I think her game could improve if she went to the basket a little more, would get to the free throw line and put the ball in the floor it's hard to imagine this kind of start for UConn 14 points for four starters none so far for Taurasi here's Strother and she hits another Connecticut just shooting lights Annie well we talked about the screens Diana trossi's teammates are fine configured, they're setting them up for everyone else, they come out of those screens, they're wide open.

Tennessee is behind the screens, they have a switch or they can't go on like this, they have to have a good trip. Tasha butts goes Baseline gets the layup we have a timeout 13 48 to end the first half Connecticut with the early lead over Tennessee let's talk to Pam Ward thanks Mike Carol Lawson playing her last game for Tennessee and her dad Bill is finally watching what He wanted her to go to Stanford and after she signed her letter of intent to go to Tennessee, he swore he would never watch her play basketball again, she obviously changed his mind, she helped him separate herself from Kara's teammates at Tennessee and now his relationship with his daughter is fixed and Now that Cara wants to be a coach, he admits to having been with Pat Summitt, she is at Stanford as far as coaching schools go.

Mike tells you that Bill Lawson grew up on welfare, he was a self-made man and established a set of principles. and he was not willing to back down on those principles for anything or anyone, well, thank God, he saw the light, yes, sir,

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-court pressure. Strother will try a three-pointer, she already made a hoop on this, the rebound goes to Ashley Robinson, who is in. Pat Summitt and that's where Tennessee has to take advantage of those defensive rebounds and run, but Connecticut does a good job of transition defense. Lawson can't find an opening and goes to Lori Moore, Gwen Jackson, a good fake to get open and then she couldn't. making the shot has been a given for everyone and for Tennessee and that's why Connecticut is also playing so well in the sense that they are preventing Tennessee from getting those second and third shot opportunities, that's where they are so strong that they are going to ask for the shot.

Foul on Lynette Crockett trying to get a position against Gwen Jackson, she's just getting a little rough down there and you know where the shooter trying to make her case shot the freshman after the break? ​​first 10 possessions Tennessee five of eight UConn seven of 10 The only difference is those two turnovers and Taurasi only had two shots and has yet to score. He has to surprise Tennessee because everyone else is shooting so far and a bad pass from Tasha hits the air in the crowd. Let's go with Doris. Burke Doris, what do you have Mike? An update on freshman Barbara Turner.

She took a pretty good shot to the head. She was bleeding. They saw to it that the blood was removed from her shirt, but trainer Rosemary Ragle just administered an eyeball. she tests, she worries that she has been hit hard enough and it remains to be seen whether or not she will return soon. That's the shot to her head. They have stopped the bleeding. She's out of her shirt, so she's now dependent on Rosemary. until when she can come back, I hope she's okay Doris, thank you Tennessee with good defense and Barbara Turner was playing very well offensively Brittany Jackson in the 25th ball game, she had a great semi-final game that really helped him. on the bench and an offensive rebound for Tennessee and a new 30 on the shot clock, not only Brittany Jackson but also Ashley Robinson came into that Duke game and she was also key and at 6'5 she created some problems for Connecticut Jackson on the line and she committed by Strother who will be two forward and Strother foreign as far as ball handlers are concerned Nicole Wolf, who is on the bench for the first time dressed this season since she was injured and was the starting guard at 6-2 and 10 games on average out of six. seven points had to feel really bad for her she had a stress fracture in her foot out of all those games she was ready to come back and they found another stress fracture that kept her out the rest of the year Brittany Jackson, Cleveland Tennessee's saw board hits them both and we have a two point game Liliana and Mario Terrazzi, the parents of the All-American and most people's player of the year, oh he's from Italy and Doris Burka talked about being immigrants and moving away to Argentina when I was a kid and I met Lillian and they're both from Argentina they moved to California and that's where Diana trossi and her sister grew up and she speaks Spanish fluently and don't expect Taurasi to get frustrated because he's not scoring he just wants to beat her to Taurasi. in the lane is an example of a great pass, she made a layup instead, scored on Crockett and commits the team's first foul against Tennessee in this half, so she reminds me a lot of Rick Barry that Rick Barry always I was talking, that first shot has to be the same shape and without pressure as the last shot and it doesn't matter how much time is left on the clock, that's how Diana Taurasi plays, she will score on Crockett with the line misses the first free throw, she had a outstanding game against Texas, nine points, 10 rebounds.

Off the bench, an example of Connecticut Youth, just one young player after another shakes this one at home and we're three apart. Now remember that Jessica Moore and Ashley Battle were redshirting, so they worked with those four graduating seniors who were a year younger. his belt before two years, actually, before he graduates. Good ball movement from Tennessee. Laurie Moore partially blocked it and it was taken away. Diana Rossi leads the team and blocked Rossi's shots down the lane a bit. She runner and got her first two and the lead. she grew to five, that's where I think she can take advantage of her size and her dribbling ability.

Brittany Jackson missed the next one and won't go, but Gwen Jackson with a three-second rebound and that's what was done. She waited a beat too long and Pat Summitt doesn't like it, he wanted a foul. Diana Trossi arrives a little late and gives him a hand. She is tall. Lori Moore can't figure it out and then Diana trossi has good body control in the lane. She never seems to be off balance. She's not very fast, do you know where I am? And some other coaches compare her to Larry Bird's speed now, if you compare her to Larry Bird in several areas, you have a good one, don't you?

Lawson is putting pressure on her again. Court hasn't been able to when Jackson gets into the fairway and gets the nice soft touch from the senior from Eufaula Alabama who has dedicated this entire tournament to her grandmother who passed away and who has been sensational in 1916. More screens for Conlan Tarasi on Jackson three they exhausted it with the same expression now Connecticut it seems like they settled in a Zone, sometimes they can stay in it but then they fall back into man to man, which is what they just did. Good defense by Crockett forced a bad pass.

The Fifth Yukon. turnover and Diana Taurasi, who had gone the first eight minutes of the game without scoring, scored five quick and Lori Moore called The Switch so Brittany Jackson couldn't come out. Lori Moore was never chosen, she just didn't follow Taurasi and By the time Brittany Jackson was told to get out, it was too late to get on Taurasi. We're playing for the National Championship, the NCAA Finals from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. I'm happy thatYou could join us on Tuesday night. I hope you are enjoying this dance. I play the top two programs in

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's basketball and UConn won both

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championship

games they participated in and maybe a good trade by Pat Summitt to put Shyra Eli in front of Rossi at 6-2 has the quickness to stick with her. the second steal of the night they won the three for the national championship games they have been in Jackson too strong in the three got her own long rebound Gwen Jackson so dangerous when it comes to that date when Jackson has half a dozen and the leads are cut to four Well, Tennessee continues to turn to their core player right now, that's gotten them there.

Gwen Jackson, long shot, not good, because of Turner's shot, Mike. I think Genorium and his staff want more patience in the offense. Lawson couldn't hit the thinner, but Jackson followed him and committed the foul. There's the offensive rebound Pat Summitt was looking for. Gwen Jackson 25 points and 15 rebounds against Duke the other night was relentless on the boards. Nice pass by Carol Lawson. and then Gwen Jackson's nice up-and-down spin move. This is the first time she will get another one. She's been getting into the free throw lineup. Pat Summitt said she is more focused and confident than ever in her Tennessee.

Her and his career is showing in the numbers she has put up in the NCAA. The Pat Summitt guy in this first half is really going deep on the bench. Courtney McDaniel comes in to give Jackson a break. She can do one of two things that can get rid of your offense. a little bit because the players aren't used to playing with each other or at least giving their starters a rest Tennessee has the only offensive rebounds in this game five nothing in that department on top UConn Moore kicks to a wide open Conlin for three cans Don't give him hit Brittany Jackson with a rebound.

You like Tennessee's defense in the sense that they're forcing Connecticut to take those outside shots, they're backing off a little bit and daring them to take it down. Shawna Zolman number five and for the first. time for Tennessee, once you want to see someone shoot shots from the outside, boy does he have a big shot? Well, this Tennessee team 158 games in a row with three-pointers Tennessee still doesn't have one Horton and McDaniel very open inside they couldn't finish it tarashi right back goes down the lane and commits a foul which is a smart move right here there the foul was on Lawson we have a timeout with 6 47 remaining first half rocket once they enter the lane look for your shot don't look to pass the The surprise has been for Tennessee to have the expected advantage Tennessee is out of rebounds Yukon 12-6 inside, let's go to Doris Burke and you have noticed on a couple of occasions how fast Connecticut is shooting the basketball.

Gino Orieama told his team exactly the same thing as him. He said at half-court, let's torture them a little. Mike torture is a good word to describe it, but now they've just been tortured into a three-point lead and Power in Barbara Turner, she just the Connecticut coaches really felt that in For Tennessee to play defense, they play defense. It lasts for the first 15 to 18 minutes and then all of a sudden you know it's hard to defend for 30 seconds as long as you continue to run your offense and Connecticut gets five to six passes. his half-court game, Goldman pushed things a little bit, a little bit of penetration right there, with charge one against Zolman.

The UConn lights are still shooting 10 of 17. Tennessee has fallen to less than 50 percent, we talked to the Connecticut players yesterday and they said if we can rebound with Tennessee we have a good chance at more bad passes, she tried to get to The Cutting Taurasi and although Connecticut beat Tennessee in overtime earlier in the year, Taurasi said they didn't play well, Brittany Jackson drains the Three, she has five points and Tennessee is back within two. Connecticut will have to figure out who the outside shooters are and Taras continues to fight from the outside to get Rossi in and out.

Nice attack from Barbara Turner and she hit him. out of Brittany Jackson out of bounds well that won't stop you from shooting although oh no shooter shooting just move so fluidly. Strother for three won't go Brittany Jackson with a rebound Tennessee can tie it with two, there's the long pass to Court McDaniel we're tied at 24. Gino Oriental is unhappy with this club because they didn't come back on time on defense, well they're just throwing these three-pointers, it's killing them because they're not getting any rebounds and now Tennessee can do it. push up two fast break points looking down the court Carol Lawson with the nice long pass and the Tennessee players, their post players are waiting, they can run down the court and get down, but Connecticut for me right now I'm watching them when they run their half court game they get good passes good good cuts off the screen they are getting good open shots and maybe the second third down right now they are making threes they don't have to do it the first time these teams play this year it was a game of one-point overtime, so it's no surprise they're tied at 6 19 by the end of the first half tomorrow, the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs on ESPN and ESPN2 at seven o'clock ET, you can see on ESPN the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Philadelphia Flyers at seven on ESPN2 the Boston Bruins in the New Jersey Devils playoffs hockey starting tomorrow withlon wide open for three Collins hit a couple of those that time there was a lot of patience in university preparation, no one about it because outside that area they tried to rob it and do you know where I am?

I said Maria Collins made some big shots and has Brittany Jackson's nice pass to the baseline for Shira Eli's layup attempt but she couldn't hit it and then Connecticut collapses to tie it on a jumper but comes back to Tennessee on the arrow of possession. I tell you Courtney McDaniel 6-1 Junior from Bristol Tennessee, they call her Minute Maid, she comes in the game and she makes things happen especially with those Longhorn socks yeah it really sucks that she used to wear but they were white they were white Ashley Battle in the steal excellent defensive player Tennessee wanted to travel she didn't understand it she missed the shot anyway good Courtney McDaniel right there Lawson rushes and retreats to the other side makes a good decision and takes it to set up the offense 5 25 to start the first half a three-pointer from UConn leads a great move with her left hand shyra Eli has four, this is a strong team that should know that Shira Eli is left handed because Jessica Moore is left handed pass inside good ball movement now Taurasi left alone will take another three and knock it down Diana Taurasi has eight up front back to four is that extra pass Mike, it's almost like Taurasi thought of it and then passed it to Collins, gave it back because the defense had the Connecticut fans on their feet in gratitude and now Tennessee fans are going to try to get their team in trouble again. pass Lawson recovers six on the shot clock and Lawson will have to shoot a three against Target and that will be a foul behind Courtney McDaniel, there is the pass you almost take that and then it comes back to her inside outside just the extra passes that Connecticut does when they turn the ball over like that Tennessee really has to work on defense because they're all good shooters for the Huskies Taurasi only made two shots in the first eight minutes since then, he's made three of four and scored eight points. here in the first half Taisha Fluker at 6'5 Freshman who only averages six and a half minutes is in the game Bad wasted pass by Barbara Turner and Pat Summitt I think she goes as deep as she can on her bench and would love that do it.

I think he could eventually wear down the Huskies. LaToya Davis is the only one who hasn't played on the bench and Pat Citation this year has said that this team has had a lot of chemistry. They all like each other, although Karen Lawson said that at the beginning of the season. They were with each other and they practiced so much and played so hard that you thought they hated each other. Fluker, who is number 50, was a parade All-American coming out of high school when Jackson a little spin move took the lead when Jackson has nine, we're back to a two point game withlon yelling what he wants it's Tennessee property the guards really come out High which leaves that half open battle drives right there Line Drive jump shot hit the front of the rim Ashley Battle is an athlete so good but Hirsch, she directly, has a better chance of entering.

Lori Moore returns to the point. Brittany Jackson, a lot of offensive lack of contact on Brittany Jackson, that will be three of her on her. Tennessee again changing their defenses and I think they have done that. pretty good job trying to keep Connecticut out of that half, they'll call a trip in the battle of Ashley, but by forcing them to put the ball in the court, check in with Pam Moore Pam, yes Mike, you guys have mentioned all the substitutions that Pat Summitt has. did and says she's very happy with the way they're pushing Tempo said they did a great job and is emphasizing again that they won this last segment, they practice winning four-minute segments during practice games and they want to win this last one before the half.

Well, I think eventually Pam, this depth is going to show up for Tennessee. Jackson won the long distance shot, she can't hit a conlon, she lost for the rebound, little Lawson in those four-minute segment practices they had, basically, they took out all the statisticians, they said. watch Don't Panic, see what you can accomplish in four minutes and you can play hard, it's not that long and they realize that oh yeah, we're not that tired for four minutes and they were also more patient in their Eli offensive. turn 15 feet another offensive rebound this one goes to Fluker and a new 30 on the shot clock for Tennessee UConn now in their zone a little coverage to box and Tennessee has some height on the court at this moment well, they are in that Zone 2 -3 and then they're changing now that they're back into man to man.

Moore trying to penetrate the camp. Eli loves to turn to her left towards Rossi with a save, but she stepped on the M line and Tennessee will get the ball back, yeah, I think that was a very good job by Connecticut, they have the shots to change in that area and then return to man-to-man and cheat the Lady Vols, the margin still belongs or check it in the The margin now belongs to Tennessee, they have been the best rebounding team in the nation. Connecticut has rebounded four times this year, one was the Tennessee game and they won all four games and guess who their leading rebounder is for Rossi? plays tonight and Fluker gets a basket, she averages 3.1 points per game, that double ties it at 30.

Well, Barbara Turner gave up, that was a failure, there you have to keep your position tied four times. Taurasi's triple team was blocked out of bounds. the last touch fight for Rossi the most important thing for Diana Taurasi Mike is not to get frustrated Eli is really playing tough defense and then you see the triple D Moore comes to help, they call him the other side Texas was very physical with Diana trossi and the most The important thing is not to get frustrated, to keep her calm and I think she was very tired at the end of that Texas game, she missed a couple of critical free throws of course the way she played was to be picky, she lost on the long three and she didn't make excuses to miss those free throws she said they normally collect situations I hit her I was just thinking about something else normally at the club she hits everything right and you know where Anderson what are you doing she goes oh yeah I'm trying to I miss it on purpose that's it what she told him returning 15 on the shot clock 41 on the game clocks instead of giving way to Conway Gallon resumes her dribble with only eight on the shot clock they find Taurasi and she scores a three.

She always seems to be there for the big shot, she has 11 in the first half and now Tennessee will take a timeout with 20.1 seconds on the clock. Andy, she is simply a marvel and also has the heart of a champion, look how hard she felt. Sarah Eli fouled him right there, check out his post, turn around and do his best to get open, he's a guy that goes back and forth, hey, give me some sunshine right there, I'll punch him in the face and you face is fine. 11 points for Taurasi, who has been so brilliant throughout the tournament, the winner of the Wade Trophy, our unique half-time report is yet to come.

Reese Davis Nell Fortner and Stacy Dale Schuman will be in college basketball's moments of the year in our first half breakdown and that's all up next. in the unique halftime report, the last six points scored by Diana Taurasi, those huge three, as you said going into halftime, they have a chance to get it back if they play good defense or if Tennessee makes a quick shot. Taurasi, the only player in the port in double figures in the first half when Jackson has nine for the queen falls see what they come up with on the last possession look for Glenn Jackson Zolman likes a three there is a steal by Conlon TaurasiAt halftime four against one he gets it to the battle battle he has blocked it from behind offensive rebound continues his start Ned Crockett are you kidding me how did he do that?

I'm telling you the Husky players are taking the lead in this game battle a little too hard Crockett with the big rebound but look with that shot that goes up Tennessee can't recover at halftime but Maria Conlin's steal Diana trossi's supporting cast progress in the first half two huge plays at the end of the half let's go to Doris she has Gino aureama Gino before the game you talked about playing with the advantage you were able to achieve it in the final stretch of that first half how you keep it in a good second you I will say that they started to hurt us a lot on the backboard there in the second half and uh, I said: if we can rebound the ball, if we can stay between them and the basket and we will be fine, but boy, they started to hurt us there, but you know , we made some big shots or 20 more minutes, that's all. 20 more minutes Gwen Jackson is still your most dangerous weapon offensively, what do you have to do to do a better job in the second half?

Well, I think sometimes a couple of times we lost her here, you know she's got that little spinning move and we're just going to try to get her as much help as possible. I thought we did a pretty good job in the first half, we were able to keep it at 60. I'll be happy, good luck, okay Mike, let's get back to your national championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta five-point lead for Connecticut over Tennessee in the half here are the numbers UConn shot a brilliant 53.8 percent from the field, they've hit 50 from three-point range, which keeps Tennessee in this top spot. bouncing especially on the offensive end of the court, welcome back to Atlanta to all those who talk about Diana Terrazzi when they talk about Connecticut, but tonight it was everyone else, not necessarily Diana Taurasi, who has given Connecticut this advantage;

In reality, their bench hasn't produced them, they may not have been that deep, but their talent has come through, but Maria Conley I don't think she had a tremendous first half, two of three from three-point range, five assists, no turnovers on that big steal late in the first half. I think she's been solid in controlling the tempo and also playing very good defense, it's not that Terrazi is having a bad night, she's the leading scorer with 11, let's check with Pam Ward, okay Mike, and just what Annie was saying when I talked to Pat Summitt, she said the key right now.

Defensively it's getting those three point shooters like Struther and Colin to put the ball on the floor, she's happy with the offensive rebounds, but she wants the pace to be a little more consistent when they push it. Mike, it's okay, Pam, and they would love to do it. I think they could take down UConn in the second half. Well, they also talk about rebounds. Shara Eli, just a rebound. The terrazzi start the second half with a rainbow. Well, it's hard to rebound when Connecticut shoots over 53 percent from the floor. There's plenty to go around, yes, Lori Moore with a great jump shot.

Well, in this second half, my Cara Lawson really has to make a difference because she struggled in the first half, she had that time off but only two rebounds and turned the ball over once. she has to come, I mean, she's a perfectionist and the leader wants that ring, but she might be putting too much pressure on Rossi by using that little pop and jump she does on Conlon, she runs across the screen and by continuing to fight, she makes a foul that I know number one on Lori Moore and those are the screens we're talking about.

There you see Carol Lawson's number really fighting from the court tonight in this game and she has to score. Pat Summitt said that she is a player who really needs to score in this game, but. I talked about the screens and how Connecticut is opening up, he said, do you know where? I even talked about high school players when they come in, they're all scorers, we really have to sit down and teach them how to set a screen because most of them don't know how to do it. I also have to teach them how to play defense.

They probably never had two in high school. What a move by Turner. Great move by The Freshman from Cleveland Ohio. He has eight points all in and UConn backs him up. eight and Pat Summitt wants to talk about it, she's not happy with her interior defense in that last sequence Tennessee down by eight, let's look at Pam Ward the last time Pat Summitt was furious, you see her yelling at her player, she threw her clipboard. she tore it up and one piece went to the second row of fans, they had to go to the backup Flipboard, she's basically saying do you guys want to play defense or not?

We want to win a championship and your anger was particularly directed at Shira Eli, Mike Hammer, right? in trouble when you have to go to the backup clipboard, I think the other one is in the bag and, well, both things, Mike exactly, have been holding their opponents to 33 from the floor and this is a Tennessee team that averages over 80. points their defense has to pick up they have to get Connecticut out of the way they have to be more physical and get them out of the lane they overtook it to the block 10 turnovers for Tennessee and here is a lack of retention on Tasha's butts that will be his first Junior from Milledgeville Georgia.

She's a little hurt because Brittany Jackson has been so good off the bench. Clayton the tournament committed three fouls in the first half. She's really the only one who has any kind of foul trouble, but I think she's the starter who really has to start making things go, interception with more backs, great movement, but you can't make the throw and then Buck somehow comes out with a fumble, that's where you have to finish those shots that the offensive boards have kept Tennessee in. Tennessee has four players scoring in double figures and four players averaging over 50 percent from the field are not shooting the ball well.

I think these referees have done a good job tonight Lisa Mattingly Melissa Barlow and Wesley Dean, they've let them play and you get the feeling that's exactly what they should do for a national championship in rebounding history doubled, but the fact that even though Connecticut doesn't get that rebound it's because they are making shots, they don't need to get the rebounds, for how long can they? you keep shooting over 50 percent against Tennessee for apparently quite a while, Maria Khan will knock down another three, she has nine and UConn has its biggest advantage in the ball game.

Robinson was left alone from 15. And that's what a good Connecticut double team with Gwen needs. Jackson down, it's the other players who have to start making open shots for Tennessee when they get a double conlon that is at half court with Moore 10 on the shot clock until Taurasi, they isolate her against the back four in the shot clock tarazi and Elaine hard Fall Away jumps and they call the foul which looks like a pretty good block. Taurasi is falling so much that you don't see

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moving away from the basket like that. This angle is going to be hard to tell.

I thought she had it in the ball or her hand and her hand is part of the ball, it seems like she gets it right at the end, right at the end, but Rossi follows that path. Tarashi with 15 points gets the roll of 16. Lawson hasn't scored since the 14-59 mark in the first half and they knew they needed points from Lawson, so they're going to have to score a lot more points now than 34. I don't think they're going to reach 80, but again the pace has increased. set up for Connecticut within striking distance of the ball, called Barbara Turner's first-team foul against UConn in the second half.

Tennessee committed three Lawsons inside and Jackson came back in, there were those three fouls, he attempted a pass from the baseline and was intercepted by Strother the entire time. way down for the layup Connecticut able to run by Turner spins by Strother another foul away from the ball consecutive possessions Barbara Turner called a foul the big rebound should say Brittany Jackson's pass got caught underneath look at that pass by Taurasi just from the Hip guy calmly and as the game progresses he becomes more and more physical. Lawson can't buy a shot, well. Lawson is going to try to start making things happen, but you can't force things either and another. offensive rebounds for Tennessee, which is 11 offensive rebounds for Connecticut in a 17-4 run, they now lead by 13 points.

Can you ask anyone in this building if someone would have a 13 point lead in the second half and they tell you only Tennessee is good and if Connecticut they have been down we have seen it and they have come back they did it against the Texas team Jody Conrad. I thought she did a great job, her and Pat Summitt, the only two 800 Victory coaches this year, Strother with the runner, good psychiatrist. by Lawson to get the loose ball dribbles through the traffic numbers for Tennessee Robinson no basket fouls tarasi is she sneaky or what is she forced Lawson to pass the puck I thought it was too soon she just stands still weights for you, she is a complete player, the most complete player I have seen in this game, but I see improvement.

Oh, there's always room for improvement, but you're talking like a coach right now. You can improve, I'm sure. I'm talking as a player, as a player, you also always want to improve by replacing that returner. I wonder how much better he can make Robinson be on the line for the second of two. Oh, very good from Gwen Jackson. Jackson missed the shot that she was wide open for. the layup, but the ball goes out of Yukon Tennessee's play when we come back, the Huskies lead by 10. The infield play immediately scores a good play by Tennessee coming out of the timeout and that's always a key play when you can write down when leaving. of that timeout of that offense UConn shoots 58 in this game that's why they are up by eight Tennessee with a notable rebounding advantage Taurasi makes a cut through the back door good ball movement Strother for three and knocks it down again fourth triple ties a The career high he has achieved a couple of times knocking down four UConn 50-39 with the lead Robinson offensive rebound gets the next foul from Taurasi that's two in the All-American now this Tennessee Connecticut team shot 60 percent against USC earlier this season 14 offensive rebounds for Tennessee 14.

It was actually Pepperdine but they're not converting, you think with 14 they would have 28 points with those offensive rebounds. Robinson misses the line in the first. She has only 40.6 free throws. She's one of three tonight. 40.6 percent gained. Don't cut us off, he misses them, they both come and one at the free throw line for Tennessee really trying to improve the defense hard shot from Conlon maybe the first bad shot he's ever taken yeah, excellent defense from Brittany Jackson, it's all over parts Lawson picked up Taurasi and another whistle away from the ball Jessica Moore asked to push and we have received more fouls as the game has become more physical 21 Jessica just a tremendous rebounding job by Tennessee, plus 14 and 14 of those 26 rebounds are on the offensive side of the court I really look for Tennessee to start going inside, that's what you know, outside shots don't fall to them, they have to go inside the lane, take advantage of not only the short shot, but who tries to get Connecticut and foul. trouble and get to the free throw line.

Lawson missed yet another long distance shot towards the high post back to control almost a set shot that time and couldn't hit it and another quick shot do you know where I am? shaking our heads let's go as far as getting some passes Jackson with a three playing with those three fouls Brittany Jackson eight points off the bench and that makes the game a main point well Maria Collins got hot and sometimes , when you get hot and trouble comes in too, yeah, and like you said in the first half, Mike Diana trossi, you never stopped shooting, she was quiet in the second half.

Taurasi's double-team attempt to throw him inside four passes took down Lawson on the Run. Lawson with the layup and I think Taurasi is tired, she didn't go back to defense that time, she just crushed it. Lawson, do you know where I am? I'm looking for the timeout and regrouping their players and what they have to do on the offensive end, the type of shots. they're taking but you have to think about what they're doing he's not happy with it Brittany Jackson comes into the game you mentioned the first half three fouls and she came back to life in the second half Tennessee kicking the ball getting some good defensive boards off those shots Connecticut quicks that allowed them to come out at halftime and Lawson's first points in 22 minutes, she is their fourth scorer of all time and will have to step up in the 12-54 final for Tennessee to come. part of the Tennessee crowd I'll tell you the truth this is one of the nicest guys one of the best people you will ever meet Peyton Manning now the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts who was a big star in Tennessee just a great guy and Pat Summitt had him come over to talk to the team, let's go to Doris Burke.

Doris Mike and Annie Jenner gave him very clear instructions.simple to Diana Taurasi. He said, "I don't want you to pass the ball. I want you to throw the ball." He said late last year when he lost those four seniors, you come here to shoot, not pass. 10 on the shot clock, conlam looking for Taurasi on the baseline, well, they gave her the ball but she couldn't hit it. Here's Lawson. Maybe encouraged by that last lineup. Nice pass to the backs, but Crockett took away a great defense which was a great steal. Taurasi's driving layup scored and he scored the basket anyway when Jackson stepped up to try to stop the layup.

He really made a shot. and Taurasi made the cube despite that, well Taurasi looks back at the screen and she's erasing some splits, she changed the beats right there, I mean she's not super fast, but just that little explosion and she comes in with that hand and Gwen . Jackson gets him knocked down on the free throw, but what makes her so tough is that she finishes the shot, an old-fashioned three-point play for terrazzi, since he'll finally get some breathing room and mom and dad love it, She is average. 25-8 during the NCAA tournament, she has been virtually unstoppable with a header of 35 against TCU and last year she had a career-high 32 against this Tennessee team.

The leader tonight. Genoa would love to think she could give him a couple of minutes on the bench, but that will depend on the score. Lawson defended by Strother Gwen Jackson outside because he can't penetrate Tennessee doesn't get any screens they're just passing and running around two on the shot clock inspires their butts they put their teammates in a difficult position trying to pass the ball with only three on the shot clock there was nowhere to go Tennessee and Myers' 13th turnover Mike Patrick Pam Warden Doris Burke our entire ESPN team with you from the Georgia Dome for a national championship UConn leading Tennessee by nine have been up by as many as 13.

Tennessee has been tied four times, they have never led in this ball game. Tennessee went into a zone defense and we've seen this Connecticut team shoot from the outside, they just have to be patient. they like to run this weave on the outsideMoore gets into the lane, he can't make the shot, but an offensive rebound against that zone was one of the few the Yukons got tonight. We had mentioned in the first half when Tennessee entered the zone that that half is very open and that those were good shots. I didn't go in, but the rebound was also very open.

The battle tries to make the pass difficult. Let's go with Doris Burke. Doris at that last meeting. Gino Aureama for the first 10 seconds just sat there and smiled at his team and told him to take a deep breath and relax. we are in control and this is where Geno differs from other coaches, not only does he have a great sense of how his team feels but he also understands when another team is in trouble and lets his team know that Mike or Doris think you're absolutely right, but here's another turnover when they tried to get the ball inside the Crockett.

Lawson will try a three and hit it with a great shot from Lawson and I think that will bring Diana Taurasi back into the ball games. The lead has been reduced to six. She's had a pretty decent break on the Yukon bench. Well, this Lady Volt team really made a good run in the second half. He left the area. Strather opened up a nice move to get to the baseline for a jumper. Good move Ann. Strada, the freshman, is 10. She's been pretty quiet. Shira Eli, she's going to try a 17-footer and knock it down well, and that's what Tennessee has to do.

They have to take an open shot to give them the opportunity to attack again. defense 10 minutes left until a national championship will it be Tennessee's seventh battle or UConn's fourth against Strother from the corner, hit him again? Strother has 13. The Girazzi can't get into the ball game because there hasn't been a dead ball yet. three times this Connecticut team this year has scored 11-3 points in a game Gwen Jackson to Lawson for three she's in two in a row oh god that was deep yes it was she's buried a couple in a row cuts the lead to six 9 20 to now go back to man to man and the shooting has really stepped up in the second half for Tennessee UConn continues to shoot lights out in the battle trying to get in and will foul Robinson and that I think was a fatigue foul Mike because Ashley Bell is not the type of player who is going to take a shot from the outside the key that whistle will get Rossi back into the ball game and the battle will be out that was only the team's third foul against Tennessee UConn has committed only five here in the game Ball.

I don't think we got to one-on-one in the first half, right? John Madrid. We did not? Oh, a good play by Karasi, perhaps refreshed by that timeout, Taurasi will tie it. the foul on Shira Elon, she just made a big move to get open and even though Eli recovered, was very quick and then set it up, it's just that little step out that a lot of players don't do and call it. too much contact right there, I gave you a wrong number which had been 16 fouls before, that was the seventh, so we're one on one for the first time in this ball game and Taurasi is the first free throw for 20 points. number eight all-time, 10 are Connecticut scores as a junior and six straight games scoring 20+ points, oh yeah, Taurasi with a block jumper, the possession arrow gives it back to Tennessee and Pat Summitt exploded from the Lady Vol bench, now players can learn about this move right here Taurasi doesn't get off the floor lowers hands stays low has one hand following the ball all the way perfect block UConn can't control Crockett's long rebound out of bounds boundaries towards Tennessee a new 30 with 8 51 remaining in the ball game.

It's funny how when you watch the

replay

s the referees look better and better and Pat Summitt is still furious about the decision, still thinking it was a double fault on the baseline shot. Another tie this time the possession arrow will give the ball to Uconn and a great job by both clubs, they are really doing very hard without leaving anything out. Connecticut is really doing a good job on the defensive end, they are suffocating Gwen Jackson, no. with just that shot blocked, he then hit a three-pointer. The team had a tough shot and Crockett and McDaniel were there to catch the ball.

Conlon will bring it to UConn. Please consider more at the end of the first half. Tennessee got a couple of steals. They were really tough man-to-man. They gave it to Rossi with 13 on the shot clock, but it's a turnover. The three-second call is yes, loss number 11 for UConn. You know, both coaches talked about a little bit of luck. follow your path and win the national championships not only get here but win one and plays like that are going to have to help Tennessee Lawson has hit two three-pointers in a row Conlin gets on his shot clock pretty tight at nine Shaira Eli gives up McDaniel will try a 15 foot shot, will not rebound to Strawberry, good shot by McDaniel, the ball is not falling to them, they are not shooting a high percentage, but Connecticut is doing a good job on the defensive walls, getting down and now slowing things down.

Connecticut doing the right thing here is burning some time until they get to Taurasi's basket counting in a foul actually 23 for the All-American and player of the year. The thing is Mike, what she does so well that she prepares the defensive player that she knows he has. a mismatch with Lawson in look how deep Lawson is playing hey I'm going to take him outside again she makes that little move and freezes the defense in Ryan's corner boom shot to the back door Taurasi hits another free throw 24 points for Taurasi leads 11. defending national champions biggest comeback to win this year for Tennessee they were down 11 against Mississippi State they're down 11 right now they've been down as many as 13. and that offensive rebound in the air and more Brittany Jackson with a left hand, that return was in the SEC tournament and then they played Sue Gunner's LSU team, where they overcame one of their four losses this year.

Taurasi gives it to Strother. I'm going to run with Diana Taurasi. around as many screens as they can find, she has a 10 on the shot clock, well they have to try to put some pressure on the perimeter player, but tarasi is very good at handling the ball one on one against Moe, what a shot. She doesn't feel intimidated by anyone who is facing the basket or with their back turned because her footwork is very good and you know that she only has 60 complete injuries in her back, 26 from terrazzi, she said 8 of 12 from the floor, the six from the free throw line.

I'd have to say she's playing about 85-90 percent tonight. This big post puts the right play right there and she shoots left-handed. As you like? That one was incredible. The last foul was more for UConn. That one resonated like Gwen Jackson. She tried the long distance shot, she has 41 from there, but she played a lot on the perimeter in the second half. She has the second half, though Connecticut has done a good job with her only two points being one of five from the floor in the second. half when Jackson is Carol Lawson she has picked up the pace a little and seen Connecticut.

I think I focused on her a little more. Donald understands that the Struthers had an excellent offensive game and now Rossi got away with a push and a called block it seemed like Taurasi got away with two fouls on that possession Diana taurasia said I want the ball in my hands if we go to win I won it if we're going to lose I want it in my hands Shawna zollman committed to Personal and Annie, that's what the star players: did you want it at the end of the game? Well, you do it and it's not so much that you're okay, obviously, you're very confident, but so are your teammates and it's not a slide. them, but they also have the ability of great players to get the ball to their teammates and have the confidence to win the game.

Taurasi has 28 UConn has matched its biggest lead with 13 points, hey, if you don't want the ball in your hand at the end of the game you shouldn't be there, well, you're not a star, neither was the last foul called on Colin, a foul to hold that will put Tennessee in one and one and Annie, it seems that they I have gone to a specialized defense with Lawson in mind, well, they will go to a box in one and try, and Lawson will not allow one to receive the ball , but at two he will not open up for those three-point shots that the last one made. two triples exceptional number one free throw shooter of all time in Tennessee almost 85 percent of her career makes both 13 points in the game 67-56 taurasia scored the last nine for Uconn and can get the rest when they stay in that zone because a man from Amanda, zulman, simply won't be able to protect Tarasi, he just worked the shot clock until round 10, passed the ball to Tarazzi, he lacks the jump shot.

Here comes Lawson, Conlon is back on the foul and Carol Lawson. doing everything she can trying to get the one thing that has eluded her during a brilliant career and that is a championship ring, well just a little hesitation right there, Maria Conlon walks over, stands up and makes body contact , they are going to give you the advantage. at the offensive player, but a nice hesitation move by Carol Lawson finished off the shot because she thought Tarasi was going to come out of nowhere and try to block it. Conlon scored 16 points, 13 of them in the second half, the lead has diminished. to eight and Yukon is not greedy the clock right now is their friend with 5 22 to go well they have to get some quick passes they are slowing it down but you have to pass it you have to get the defense moving and work Collin resumed his dribble now Strother with five on the shot clock Conwell good move to go to the baseline but can't make the shot and Shire Eli stops it.

Well, Tennessee was lucky that you allowed Maria Connelly to have that kind of layup and genius and know that they should have been able to get two off that possession. 449 left Jackson, which was a difficult shot and Taurasi was right in his face, they should have blocked him, but Tennessee's offensive movement has been very slow. I think they are more worried about the clock than scoring and that could be a very dangerous thing. Well, they're practically taking 25 seconds out of every 30 seconds of possession. They come from the bank and are fresh. Strother missed a three-pointer. Moore got the rebound. and he picked it up, he couldn't make it, here comes Lawson running down the lane, he didn't make the shot, but he made the foul and that's good for Tennessee because it stops the clock on Thursday night, the Stanley Cup playoffs. continues at seven o'clock in the first game on ESPN, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, it was an East nine in the first game on ESPN2, Minnesota against Colorado playoff hockey Avalanche on ESPN and ESPN 2.

That last call was for Wilnette Crockett. That will be the third. You can see that Lawson wants to make things happen. Now her father, Bill Lawson, hasn't cracked that smile yet, but Kara Lawson really, as you can see, wants it to happen. Watch the way she dribbles the ball toward Island, who took the free throw. I love it, well, her boss Helen is impeccable. SheI asked, do you know what you say when you shoot that free throw? She says oh I can't tell you, I said too much Carl Malone, but she takes a deep breath to relax. and she's been doing it since she had just under four minutes left the lead was cut to six the pace for a team double trap Strother makes it off a dangerous cross-field pass to Taurasi please she also does the same with Strother for three minutes Good strong rebound for Jackson forward for Zolman he has that great outside shot instead she goes Baseline on her cut Brittany Jackson turns can't get it in well Crockett great rebound for the Huskies Tennessee had a chance Mike, They've done a good job of forcing Connecticut with some bad passes, I should say bad throws and they've had a chance to run now.

Taurasi is going to work the clock and do a Gino Ram timeout with 3 15 on the clock, well you just had it. She had a feeling that this was going to be a good game and the feeling had worked. I think if they made some of their shots, they made some, they had issues with their offense and they didn't play the type of defense with intensity that they had. They are used to, well, they have had problems with their offense, what they have not had problems with is rebounding, they have been absolutely brilliant in rebounding and I think that is the only reason why they are within six, but they have also failed the setbacks and that hasn't gone well for them and you can't beat tarasi right now thanks here's our Harley-Davidson play track 13 points off 16 offensive rebounds and Annie, that's perfect for the point you made Lawson and Jackson se they have combined for 29 of their points.

UConn continues to shoot lights out from the get-go of this game. Taurasi with 28 points has averaged 25-8 throughout the NCAA tournament and do you know where I am? In this game, people had asked how tired Diana Taurasi is and how she beat up her team. She has 40 more minutes on her shot clock reduced to two, she has to throw a very long one tilted up, but not before she violates the shot clock. Here comes Tennessee. Many people also feel that this Connecticut team is the kind of team that you can't let go of, no matter how much time is left on the clock, it may be 30 seconds, don't let Taurasi open seven, nothing, run for the Lady Vols, almost a nine. no running, but that foul will send Jackson to the free throw line.

Crockett gets her fourth personal. Jackson at the line is a 76 percent free throw shooter. swish Jackson now with 12 points, only his third point of the second half, this would make it a four point game and Crockett will sit at the 239 mark with that fourth person, this one will not come in and steal by Conway Highlander, second Huge steal for Connecticut. Tennessee had a great opportunity, let it slip away and it was the 609th mark where UConn got the last field goal for them, now we're at 220. Taurasi goes back to it, they can't find it with him.

Baseline Drive cuts inside and scores what play by freshman Andy Strawberry, you don't have an answer a little. A little bit, but wow, she takes those shots inside, she got knocked out a couple of threes and she's been tough in this game. She needed a breakup game. 15 large points from the straw. They're Lawson trying to bring him back. He missed a shot. Strother got it. a jump possession arrow gives it to Tennessee and we have a timeout with only 149 left in a national championship and the Castle Rock Colorado freshman, who has started every game this year, is having one of his best outings of his freshman season.

It would be a great performance by them last year, they lost one, two, four and six players in the WNBA draft. Somehow they did it behind terrazzi, some Sterling freshmen and sophomores and it will be five for Lynette Crockett called for a block and the freshman. from Harbor City California has fouled out of the game, are you talking about the back? Linda Sharp's team did it in 84 and 85 with Cheryl swoops and the McGee Twins and then Pat summitt's teams consecutively in 91-96 or 96 97 98, three points and six rebounds for Wilnette Crockett, who scored nine points and ten rebounds in the semifinals against Texas, well, you know, I have to go back to the AIW bill because for sure with Kathy Rush and Immaculata and Margaret Wade at Delta State.

Marianne Stanley in Old. Dominion, they all won back to back, that was before they were officially an NCAA sport in the NCAA tournament, it was the AIW, this is the 36th year of women's college basketball and in the 21 years the NCAA has only There have been 12 coaches who have won. the NCAA Championship once again in the 14 years they have had eight coaches, making it an elite group of coaches who have won a national championship. Robinson probably doesn't want to see the free throw line anymore, she's only one in five. tonight a 40 free throw shooter on the year she misses them both again and another offensive rebound for Tennessee but time is becoming valuable and we have to stay away from the ball okay Gwen Jackson has really worked hard to enter and climb the pole. position and Connecticut has had trouble defending it when Crockett fouled out Robert Turner, committing a foul which is incredible, 19-4 offensive rebounds, but they only have 13 points on those 19 offensive rebounds, that's huge, rebounding them 38-20 in the boards and Gino.

Ram has to feel pretty good, but his team is 10 of 21 in three-point shots and 52 in field goals. Jackson now has 13 points and the advantage here for Tennessee is that the clock stopped at 1:35. Tennessee's lead pulls away in the second, making the lead six. Taurasi will use as much time as she can and then probably take the shot herself protected by Lawson. Very physical loose ball here in the second half from both clubs, which is a tight weave. They're running around and Robinson will have a reach on the foul as she goes for the steal, which is her second with 115 to go.

Tennessee has one hope, obviously, free throws are missed. Maria Conlon is pretty solid on the line. 77 on the year and they are in the double bonus, but Tennessee who comes on the offensive side does not have to shoot quick three-pointers, but they have to score quickly. I think right now they're only losing by two possessions like Conlon. misses first of two Zolman will come in and Robinson will return for Tennessee. They are both excellent long-range shooters and think what if Tennessee was knocking down their 3-pointers. Oh, Conlon hits second, so it's a seven-point lead. Lawson, let's see.

If someone can get a screen out of the three, well, they're standing still, they're trying to get themselves open, no one's making any cuts, are you kidding me? Brittany Jackson with a player who was answered, she leaned towards him, look at Gino's face aureama he wants to see if that was a two instead of a three initially she was behind the line if he crossed it before releasing it that will be the question well she said she made those kind of shots in high school all the time Well she never hit a bigger one, she was behind it, it's not where you land, it's where you take off and it looked like she took off behind the line and didn't come back down to the ground, well, Brittany Jackson is a player who had a maximum of 50 points. in high school he probably went behind the line what shot holy cow what shot what time to make a circus shot and now we have had some kind of electrical failure in the building and the scoreboards the clocks the shot clocks everything else and yes The referees conclude that it is a triple, do you know where I am?

But we will lose that downtime and they certainly won't be able to conclude anything else. She left the court far behind the triple. line and didn't touch it again until it was gone, that's a remarkable situation with 101 ahead in a national championship game, she knew how desperate they were to make a shot, she made it anyway, well Brittany Jackson, one of the great scores. She really came out of high school and on this Tennessee team a lot of people know her as a three-point shooter. She made that shot, but it looked like it was going to be a shot toward the basket.

Now you can't tell me she scored. Those all the time in high school, no one does them all the time. Hey, when you get 50 in the game, you made a lot of them and that reduces it to a four-point game, assuming they go ahead and credit the three-pointer, which I don't. I don't see how they can't do that, so now both coaches have plenty of time to talk to their clubs and Matt's strategy for the final one-on-one. If you're Tennessee, you go out and commit a foul, you're going for this deal. early and then fouls out at minute one, no, I think there's too much time left and I also think Tennessee has been playing aggressive defense.

Connecticut has had trouble handling the ball the last two possessions, but if they don't get a quick steal, if they don't get a quick turnover, then yeah, you're going to have to feature Connecticut Miss Maria Conlon at the free throw line, well, no there's a doubt Brittany Jackson threw it from behind the line and coming off the bench tonight she has 13 30. points eight of them in the second half No. 10 sergeant all-time in Tennessee women's history in three point shots. Jesus, horrible, the refs are still watching this. It looked like she was going to pass on the wrong foot, but she never did, that's how it is.

I never went down in that state of the right foot as a pivot foot. I think they've watched this about 10 times unless they're seeing something we're not seeing. I don't know why it would take more than once and now I'm going to reunite both coaches abroad. I think I know what they were doing. They were also checking for good officiating here. They were also checking to see when the shot clock sounded and the game clock went off when the power went out. They checked the last basket. Here it is. the restart we are in the double bonus for both clubs each one has two timeouts on the left the possession arrow favors Yukon Strother gives it to Taurasi remember that there is no 10 second count in women's basketball you can stay there for the

full

30 if you want, but there is a defensive zone, once you cross it, you should notice that the shot clock is at 12.

The game clock is at 43. You want to get the ball to Taurasi. Cut around the screen. Taurasi from 15 feet, a shortcut, her own rebound, first 30 seconds. Tennessee fouled, they can't catch them and they get 29.1 to start the ball game. What happened? Tasha Butts was looking for a switch for Taurasi and when she came out when she was protecting Taurasi and Maria Collins, she approached. High guard and Tracy was wide open Trossy missed a shot, but Tarashi was wide open to get the rebound on the long board Maria Conlon, who just made one of two hits, the first of two here, and we're having all kinds of problems with the score, he just put the Tennessee score at 66 and UConn five, now they've changed it to 71-66, so it's still a two possession game, no matter what Conlon does with the second one and Tennessee will have to go down and get a bucket. for the steal if they commit that foul again here's the most points ever scored in the NCAA tournament Cheryl dives shamiqua holds the claw tarasi has moved up to third place all time two more passing points holds the punch and comes close to the blows and you We could imagine that he will play in the tournament again next year.

They have a good chance of surpassing those 20 points again if they fail. Tennessee has to go down first of all, they have to rebound and we have seen Connecticut. you are able to get a rebound conlon fails the second has 11 points two of four from the line Lawson with Taurasi waiting fails the three offensive rebounds rebound in the follow-up of Gwen Jackson in the Tennessee quick timeout there were 21 seconds left to go in The next game It's a three-point margin. Sports center Dan Patrick and Rich Eisen will come in and completely close out this remarkable game.

Matsui with his debut with the Yankees in New York. MJ and the Cavs for the last time. I know you have to really admire what Michael Jordan has done down the stretch, he has not only led that ballclub, but he has also criticized his younger teammate for not following suit. UConn followed Diana Taurasi tonight, she has been brilliant and so have they, thank you Diana. Taurasi has worked hard in this game. They have beaten her, but she is seen in a certain light. They knocked her down. She freezes big time. She can go to the basket and finish shots when she is fouled.

She knows how to score shots with her left hand. She fades into the baseline. she does it all, she's had a couple of blocks and some fabulous assists, that left hand shift was the best tonight and gave her the angle that she's seemingly never out of control, she always knows what she can do and always seems to be able do it. To do it, Tennessee has used its last timeout with 21 seconds left, so you try to foul a bad free throw shooter, but UConn isn't going to let it happen to a bad free throw shooter, well, Colin 204 and I know, you know?

Where I'm not, you can't dictate if the player is going to make the shot or not, but I was upset that the team allowed Tennessee to pick up the ball so quickly and makethe shot, so you fouled immediately. you foul and you probably won't be able to foul Taurasi because she passes the ball with exactly the best power, but you lose the opportunity for her to shoot free throws, so Strother gets fouled, he's a free throw shooter. 81, not bad and Strother has had a wonderful game, playing almost the same amount of minutes as Diana Taurasi which is remarkable for a freshman and this really Mike is a game that Diana Trossi probably couldn't have led to out herself, she needed help to anstruather really took a big step. situation for freshman here first trip to free throw line 80.6 on year hits first will get another one making it a two-possession game Tennessee's offensive and defensive substitutions make long-range bombers back there , especially the notables Brittany Jackson who can seemingly score from any angle Strother gives them both a five point lead 17 for Strother Ashley Battle will come in on defense for Connecticut and I like this because it will make it difficult for the Lady Vols to go up to the court.

I'd like to get into Lawson's hands. Oh, throw it away. Battle with the interception. She takes it to Taurasi, who may have done it. The battle didn't even look at the basket. A smart move back to Taurasi. UConn. The Huskies, what an extraordinary year, after going 39-0, they are 37-1 and winning back-to-back national championships, and Annie, have you ever seen anyone more complete in Taurasi, not right now, no Right now, the kind of shots she takes? She wants to not only control the ball but also control the defense, she involves her teammates, she makes them feel like part of what is happening, they are equally important and I love our leadership, I love her.

Denied a seventh national title tonight by Swagger Pat Summitt, instead Geno Auriemma, who won his 500th career game last night, earns his 501st consecutive national championship and fourth overall of Swagger's brilliant career tonight. he. He caused a storm in Tennessee when he jokingly said: The Tennessee program was the evil empire, he said it ironically tonight, the force was with him, but Tennessee and we give credit to Pat Summitt for the fact that Tennessee has created many rivalries and put Connecticut on the map in 95 when they went to the stores and played them and put a lot of teams in the National Championships, so Tennessee has always been the measuring stick.

You can't ask much more of Taurasi. She scored no goals in the first eight minutes and focused on setting up her teammates who did a great job scoring but finished with 28 points, eight of 15 from the floor, perfect from the line, eight of eight and pulled down four rebounds. and a couple of blocked shots. Annie, a notable performance by Connecticut, they were the underdogs coming in and Doris Burke, you have the winning coach, Gino aureama, Gino all season long, you said this was a flawed basketball team, how did they win a National Championship? Wow, I have never been prouder of a group of kids in my entire life, no one deserved it more. that these kids, how hard they worked and what they've endured and yes, we are an absolutely flawed basketball team and you know we beat a really good basketball team today, but we may have our flaws, but I'll tell you what.

I've never met a tougher group of kids in my life, you said you have Diana Taurasi, no one else does, how does she keep making the tough times her best times? Just a fearless individual, I mean, uh, the girl just comes from a different fabric, you know, she's got a lot of that, it's hanging in her, you know, and God bless her because, uh, I've never been around someone who's just immune to the pressures of the moment and just lives the moment and she has so much joy and passion for the game and she shows it in every possession you said today Michigan action Barbara Turner and Ann, okay, you know she did it, she got hit, she took a nice hit.

Good shot from the start and I thought Aunt Strother came, my oldest son. I'll tell you that you know she said she was going to play well and I'm really happy for her because she's one of the hardest working kids out there. I've ever coached and for a freshman to come in and play that kind of game, you know, now I won't have to listen to my friend Jim Mayheim at the Big East coaches meeting, he's giving me a hard time about how he trained freshman for the National Championship, congratulations Gina, let's go to Pam Ward, okay, thank you very much.

Glenn Gino oriyama was talking about Diana Taurasi, we have her right here. Would you believe this start of the season you lose those four sensational seniors that being here right now I feel so good right now we would never have thought oh shot I mean it's great for everyone everyone who They were in Connecticut before the game they trained for last year's five seniors and he said you guys have to rewrite. history and we did it together this year no, superstars, just blue collar, you don't include yourself, you're not a superstar, no, we all work just as hard and everyone should get the same respect and play like a super senior tonight and that It's what kind of kids we have, we have the best team now when it comes to taking care of Tennessee.

I know the temple was a concern. If you could do pretty much what you wanted to do tonight, we just had to do what we were good at: the rebound game. defend and take care of the ball and I think for the most part we did that so everyone's coming back next year so you know the search will start right away on that that was a straight right yeah that was back to back just I'll put on a show, yeah, okay, I'm okay, I'm happy, you should be, let's bring in some aunt's brother right now and we just heard the veteran and you played like a veteran tonight, there are no nerves there.

I don't know, I mean, I just went out and, you know, the crowd helped us so much and you know we had Diana and, um, she really is the most incredible leader you could ask for and she just took control and made me feel like I needed to go out. and play, so you made a couple of great free throws at the end, congratulations and a great performance, the champion, thank you, okay, let's give it back to Mike.