UConn defeats Stanford 63-58, Advances to the National Championship

UConn Huskies #5 Paige Bueckers shooting a three-point jump shot over Stanford Cardinal #22 Cameron Brink in the National Final Four. Photo by Shylanda Pam/T.G.Sportstv1.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The UConn Huskies in the Final Four Semifinals beat the Stanford Cardinals 63-58 to advance to the National Championship.

Paige Bueckers was the leading scorer for the Huskies in scoring with 14 points, and four rebounds, Evina Westbrook had 12-points, Christyn Williams had 10-points, and Aaliyah Edwards with 9-points.

Haley Jones led Stanford in scoring with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Cameron Brink also had a good night with 15 points and seven rebounds.

UConn got on the scoreboard first and led 2-0 after a jump shot by Christyn Williams. Stanford trailed Uconn 4-2 after a jump shot by Brinks.

With under 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Aaliyah Edwards would make a layup to give the Huskies a 12-9 lead at the end of the quarter. Westbrook would make a three-pointer to give the Huskies a 15-11 lead in the second quarter.

Bueckers and Westbrook would make three-pointers to help give the Huskies a 25-19 lead. Stanford Francesca Belibi made a jump shot making the score 25-21. Hannah Jump from Stanford would connect on a three-pointer ending the half with the Huskies leading the Cardinals, 27-26.

After one half, Brink led the Cardinals in scoring with 8-points, and Westbrook led the Huskies with 9-points.

The Cardinals tied the game 28-28 in the third quarter with a jump shot by Jones. Stanford would take their first lead of the game after a three-pointer by Ashten Prechtel, 31-30.

Bueckers responded with a jump shot in the paint to give UConn a 32-31 lead with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter. After trailing by one point, 35-34, Williams knocks down a three-pointer to give the Huskies the lead, 37-35. UConn led 39-37 at the end of the third quarter.

Stanford Cardinal # 3 Anna Wilson dribbles the basketball upcourt and looks for a teammate to pass the ball to. Photo by Shylanda Pam/TGSportstv1.

During the start of the fourth quarter, Olivia Nelson-Ododa completed a three-point play to give UConn a 42-37 lead.

UConn went on a 6-2 run, ending with a three-pointer by Williams, giving them a 45-39 lead with 7:41 remaining in the game. Bueckers would steal the ball and streak down the court for a layup extending their lead to eight points, 49-41.

With 1:50 remaining in the game, the Huskies led the Cardinals 50-44. After a UConn turnover, Jones was fouled and made both of her free throws, and Stanford trailed 52-48 with 1:15 remaining.

After Stanford called a timeout, Lacie Hull would make a three-point shot to cut the lead to 54-51. Ashten Prechtee's three-pointer had the Huskies leading 58-54.

UConn would turn the ball over on its next possession with 28.1 seconds left in the game. Stanford trailed UConn 58-56 after a jump shot by Jones. After a pair of free throws, the Huskies extended their lead to 60-56 with 22.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

On the next possession for Stanford, Cameron Brink would make a layup making the score 60-58. Stanford could not get the turnover on the inbounds play and fouls Williams.

She would make two clutch free throws to give UConn a 62-58 lead with 11 seconds remaining. Stanford turns the ball over with UConn regaining possession with 5 seconds remaining in the game.

The Huskies defeat the Cardinals, 63-58. UConn#2 advances to National Championship Game and will face #1 ranked South Carolina on Sunday at the Target Center.