1989 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game

Women's basketball championship game May 2024 March 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game ncg NCAA primary logo 1980 reserved.svg w 1988–89 Auburn Tigers Auburn University 32–1 Joe Ciampi 2 2 Tennessee Lady Volunteers University of Tennessee 34–2 Pat Summitt 1 1 27 33 35 41 April 2, 1989 Tacoma Dome Tacoma, Washington Bridgette Gordon, Tennessee CBS Tim Brant (play-by-play) and Mimi Griffin (analyst) 1988 1990 The 1989 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 1989 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 1988–89 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers. The game was played on April 2, 1989, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. It was the first time an NCAA women's championship game featured two teams from the same conference. After leading 35–27 at halftime, No. 1 Tennessee controlled the game throughout and defeated No. 2 Auburn 76–60 to capture the program's second NCAA national championship.Tennessee Beats Auburn for Women's Title, 76-60 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/04/03/tennessee-beats-auburn-for-womens-title-76-60/7aeb3bcd-adc2-4fdc-8c88-2dede00afe0e/ The Washington Post April 3, 1989 May 4, 2024 Bridgette Gordon was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Participants Auburn Tigers 1988–89 Auburn Tigers women's basketball team The Tigers, who represented the Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, were led by head coach Joe Ciampi in his 9th season at the school. Auburn began the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll. After spending the first 14 polls at either No. 3 or No. 2, the Tigers peaked at No. 1 for two of the final three weeks before finishing the regular season back at No. 3 in both major polls. Playing as the No. 1 seed in the Mideast region of the NCAA tournament, the Lady Tigers defeated Temple, No. 17 Clemson, and No. 9 Ole Miss to reach their second straight Final Four. In the National semifinals, Auburn avenged their loss in the prior season's National championship game by defeating No. 3 Louisiana Tech, 76–71.Auburn 76, Louisiana Tech 71 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/03/31/Auburn-76-Louisiana-Tech-71/7529607323600/ UPI Archives March 31, 1989 May 4, 2024 The 32–1 Tigers entered the matchup with No. 1 Tennessee as the slight underdog. Tennessee Lady Volunteers 1988–89 Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team The Lady Volunteers, who represented the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, were led by head coach Pat Summitt, in her 15th season at the school. After losing to eventual champion Louisiana Tech in the Final Four the prior season, Tennessee opened this season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll and spent the entirety of the season inside the top 3. After losing at Auburn during the regular season, Tennessee avenged the loss in the SEC championship game. They finished the regular season right back where they started ranked No. 1 in both major polls. In the NCAA tournament, Tennessee easily defeated La Salle, No. 15 Virginia, and No. 7 Long Beach State to reach the sixth NCAA Final Four in program history. They won 77–65 over No. 5 Maryland in the national semifinalTennessee Too Much for Maryland https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-01-sp-910-story.html The Los Angeles Times April 1, 1989 May 4, 2024 to reach the all-SEC national championship game with a 34–2 record. Starting lineups Auburn Position Tennessee Carolyn Jones G Dena Head Ruthie Bolton G Melissa McCray Vickie Orr C Sheila Frost Jocelyn McGilberry F Bridgette Gordon Patrena Scruggs F Carla McGhee Source Game summary #e3e3e3 April 2, 1989 No. 2 Auburn Tigers 60 No. 1 Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76 27–35 33–41 Tacoma Dome – Tacoma, Washington CBS Bridgette Gordon led all scorers with 27 points and also recorded 11 rebounds for Tennessee. Auburn had defeated Tennessee during the regular season, but Tennessee won their second meeting in the Southeastern Conference tournament before the teams met again in the national championship game.Tennessee Wins Second NCAA Championship in Three Years The NCAA News April 5, 1989 https://ncaanewsarchive.s3.amazonaws.com/1989/19890405.pdf August 17, 2026 The championship game was attended by 9,758 spectators at the Tacoma Dome. Media coverage The game was broadcast on CBS. References 2 Championship Category:NCAA Division I women's basketball championship games Category:College basketball tournaments in Washington (state) NCAA Division I Women NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game Category:Women's sports in Washington (state) Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball Category:Auburn Tigers women's basketball