The Baylor Lady Bears have won their second national championship following their 80-61 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Tuesday night, finishing the season with a perfect 40-0 record (first men's or women's team to do so). Baylor won its first title in 2005.
Baylor started to pull away from Notre Dame when it went on a 14-0 run to extend the lead to 25 points, 75-50. Brittney Griner, as expected, dominated the Irish to the tune of 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. Odyssey Sims added 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Baylor outrebounded Notre Dame, 45-24.
Though the final score doesn't show it, Notre Dame had the game within three points, 42-39, nearly five minutes into the second half. But poor shooting by the Irish did them in this night. Natalie Novosel's 0-for-11 night from the field is the most egregious example of the Irish's failure to sink a basket. Skylar Diggins led Notre Dame with 20 points, but she was just 7-of-17 shooting. The team shot 35.5 percent to Baylor's 50 percent.
The quest now begins anew for Griner and the Bears to win back-to-back national championships. The soon-to-be senior has stated that she will return for her final year of eligibility.
For more on women's basketball, head to Swish Appeal; For more on the two teams, head over to Baylor Bears blog Our Daily Bears and Stanford Cardinal blog Rule Of Tree.
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