2014 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game

Women's basketball championship game April 2021 March 2026 2014 NCAA Tournament Championship Game ncg women's 2014 NCAA women's basketball tournament Final Four Nashville.jpg Bridgestone Arena after the championship game. April 8, 2014 2013–14 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish 37–0 2 2 Muffet McGraw 38 20 University of Connecticut UConn Huskies 39–0 1 1 Geno Auriemma 45 34 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tennessee Breanna Stewart, UConn ESPN Dave O'Brien (play-by-play) Doris Burke (analyst) Holly Rowe (sideline) 2013 2015 The 2014 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 2014 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the national champion for the 2013–14 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The game matched the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the UConn Huskies and was played on April 8, 2014, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.ESPN – Notre Dame vs. UConn – April 8, 2014 https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game?gameId=400551354 ESPN April 4, 2021 April 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210420030707/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game?gameId=400551354 live UConn and Notre Dame both entered the game unbeaten, making this the first championship game to be held between two undefeated teams. Both teams came in with talented rosters; eight of the game's ten starting players were eventually drafted in a WNBA draft. UConn overpowered Notre Dame to win the game by 21 points and break the record with their ninth NCAA Division I championship. Participants The championship game, described as a "dream matchup" by UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, matched the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with the UConn Huskies and was the first title game to be contested by two undefeated teams.Chappell Bill NCAA Women's Final Matches Two Undefeated Teams https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/04/08/300599744/ncaa-women-s-final-matches-two-undefeated-teams NPR April 4, 2021 en April 8, 2014 July 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210730234844/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/04/08/300599744/ncaa-women-s-final-matches-two-undefeated-teams live Notre Dame 2013–14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team Notre Dame, led by 27th-year head coach Muffet McGraw, ended the regular season with a perfect 29–0 record, including a 16–0 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference games.2013–14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women's Basketball Schedule https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/87/season/2014 ESPN April 14, 2021 en April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220732/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/87/season/2014 live They were the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament, where they defeated No. 9 seed 2013 women Florida State Seminoles Florida State University Florida State,#2 Irish Top Florida State, 83–57, In ACC Quarterfinals https://und.com/2-irish-top-florida-state-83-57-in-acc-quarterfinals/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website April 14, 2021 7 March 2014 April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220734/https://und.com/2-irish-top-florida-state-83-57-in-acc-quarterfinals/ live No. 4 seed 2013 women NC State Wolfpack North Carolina State University NC State,#2 Irish Breeze Past #14/17 N.C. State In ACC Semifinals, 83–48 https://und.com/2-irish-breeze-past-14-17-n-c-state-in-acc-semifinals-83-48/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website April 14, 2021 8 March 2014 April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220734/https://und.com/2-irish-breeze-past-14-17-n-c-state-in-acc-semifinals-83-48/ live and No. 2 seed Duke en route to their first ACC Tournament title and their seventh conference tournament championship in program history.#2 Irish Down #10 Duke, 69–53, For ACC Title https://und.com/2-irish-down-10-duke-69-53-for-acc-title/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website April 14, 2021 9 March 2014 April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220734/https://und.com/2-irish-down-10-duke-69-53-for-acc-title/ live They received a No. 1 seed and were placed in the eponymous Notre Dame Regional at the NCAA tournament. In the tournament, the Fighting Irish defeated No. 16 seed 2013 women Robert Morris Colonials Robert Morris University Robert Morris and No. 9 seed Arizona State to reach their 12th Sweet Sixteen.#2 Irish Rout Robert Morris, 93–42 In NCAA Opener https://und.com/2-irish-rout-robert-morris-93-42-in-ncaa-opener/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website April 14, 2021 22 March 2014 April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220735/https://und.com/2-irish-rout-robert-morris-93-42-in-ncaa-opener/ live Notre Dame pulls away in second half against ASU to remain undefeated https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400548774 ESPN April 14, 2021 March 24, 2014 en April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220734/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400548774 live From there, the Irish defeated No. 5 seed 2013 women Oklahoma State Cowboys Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State and No. 2 seed 2013 women Baylor Bears Baylor University Baylor to reach the Final Four for the sixth time.Lesar Al Inside game gives Notre Dame women the edge https://www.ndinsider.com/basketball/womens/inside-game-gives-notre-dame-women-the-edge/article_e55183cc-195c-5ac8-b870-afb82a518c54.html Notre Dame Insider April 14, 2021 March 30, 2014 en April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220734/https://www.ndinsider.com/basketball/womens/inside-game-gives-notre-dame-women-the-edge/article_e55183cc-195c-5ac8-b870-afb82a518c54.html live #2 Irish Return to Final Four With 88–69 Win Over #5/6 Baylor https://und.com/2-irish-return-to-final-four-with-88-69-win-over-5-6-baylor/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website April 14, 2021 31 March 2014 April 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414220735/https://und.com/2-irish-return-to-final-four-with-88-69-win-over-5-6-baylor/ live In the Final Four, Notre Dame met No. 4 seed Maryland, champions of the Louisville Regional. A convincing win put the Fighting Irish in the national championship game for the fourth time; they entered seeking their second title.Wang Gene NCAA women's final four: Notre Dame routs Maryland, advances to national title game https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ncaa-womens-final-four-notre-dame-routs-maryland-advances-to-national-title-game/2014/04/06/c16e92ce-bdda-11e3-b574-f8748871856a_story.html Washington Post April 14, 2021 6 April 2014 June 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160617224207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ncaa-womens-final-four-notre-dame-routs-maryland-advances-to-national-title-game/2014/04/06/c16e92ce-bdda-11e3-b574-f8748871856a_story.html live UConn 2013–14 UConn Huskies women's basketball team UConn, led by 29th-year head coach Geno Auriemma, finished the regular season with a perfect 31–0 record, including an 18–0 mark in American Athletic Conference play.2013–14 Women's Basketball Schedule https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2013-14 University of Connecticut Athletics April 21, 2021 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035058/https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2013-14 live They received the No. 1 seed in the AAC tournament, where they defeated No. 8 seed 2013 women Cincinnati Bearcats University of Cincinnati Cincinnati,UConn Races Past Cincinnati, 72–42 in WBB Championship https://theamerican.org/news/2014/3/8/WBB_0308141247.aspx American Athletic Conference April 21, 2021 March 8, 2014 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035059/https://theamerican.org/news/2014/3/8/WBB_0308141247.aspx live No. 4 seed 2013 women Rutgers Scarlet Knights Rutgers University Rutgers,No.1 UConn Defeats No. 23 Rutgers Women's Basketball, 94–64 https://scarletknights.com/news/2014/1/19/No_1_UConn_Defeats_No_23_Rutgers_Women_s_Basketball_94_64.aspx Rutgers University Athletics April 21, 2021 January 19, 2014 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035103/https://scarletknights.com/news/2014/1/19/No_1_UConn_Defeats_No_23_Rutgers_Women_s_Basketball_94_64.aspx live and No. 2 seed Louisville to win their first AAC Tournament title and the 19th conference tournament title in program history.UConn Women Beat Louisville to Win American Title https://today.uconn.edu/2014/03/uconn-women-beat-louisville-to-win-american-title/ UConn Today April 21, 2021 11 March 2014 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035103/https://today.uconn.edu/2014/03/uconn-women-beat-louisville-to-win-american-title/ live In the NCAA Tournament, UConn received the No. 1 overall seed and was placed in the Lincoln Regional, where they defeated No. 16 seed 2013 women Prairie View A&M Panthers Prairie View A&M University Prairie View A&M and No. 9 seed 2013 women St. Joseph's Hawks St. Joseph's University St. Joseph's to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the 22nd time.Altavilla John UConn Women Roll Past Prairie View, 87–44; St. Joseph's Next https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-xpm-2014-03-24-hc-uconn-women-prairie-view-ncaa-0324-20140323-story.html The Hartford Courant April 21, 2021 March 24, 2014 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717230433/https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-xpm-2014-03-24-hc-uconn-women-prairie-view-ncaa-0324-20140323-story.html live UConn Dominates St. Joseph's, 91–52 https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/3/25/uconn_dominates_st_joseph_s_91_52.aspx University of Connecticut Athletics March 25, 2014 April 21, 2021 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035103/https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/3/25/uconn_dominates_st_joseph_s_91_52.aspx live They then beat No. 12 seed BYU and No. 3 seed Texas A&M to win the regional and reach the Final Four for the 15th time in school history.Lloyd Jared BYU women's basketball pushes No. 1 UConn in Sweet 16 but ends up losing https://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/basketball/women/byu-womens-basketball-pushes-no-1-uconn-in-sweet-16-but-ends-up-losing/article_5388ad0c-b7a5-11e3-858b-001a4bcf887a.html Daily Herald April 21, 2021 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035059/https://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/basketball/women/byu-womens-basketball-pushes-no-1-uconn-in-sweet-16-but-ends-up-losing/article_5388ad0c-b7a5-11e3-858b-001a4bcf887a.html live Altavilla John UConn Women Defeat Texas A&M, Join the Men in Final Four https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-uconn-women-texas-am-0401-20140331-story.html The Hartford Courant April 21, 2021 April 1, 2014 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035058/https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-uconn-women-texas-am-0401-20140331-story.html live In the Final Four, the Huskies met No. 2 seed Stanford, the champions of the Stanford Regional, whom they defeated to reach the national championship for the ninth time.UConn Back in Title Game, Beats Stanford 75–56 https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/4/6/UConn_Back_in_Title_Game_Beats_Stanford_75_56.aspx University of Connecticut Athletics April 6, 2014 April 21, 2021 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422035059/https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/4/6/UConn_Back_in_Title_Game_Beats_Stanford_75_56.aspx live The Huskies entered seeking to maintain their perfect record in national title games with their ninth championship. Starting lineups thumb|right|UConn's Stefanie Dolson led the Huskies in rebounds and was one of three championship game participants selected in the first round of the 2015 WNBA draft Of the ten starting players for both teams, eight were eventually drafted in a WNBA draft. Three players – Notre Dame's Kayla McBrideByrne Pete McBride, Achonwa drafted in 1st round of WNBA Draft https://wsbt.com/news/local/mcbride-achonwa-drafted-in-1st-round-of-wnba-draft WSBT April 22, 2021 14 April 2014 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040540/https://wsbt.com/news/local/mcbride-achonwa-drafted-in-1st-round-of-wnba-draft live and UConn's Bria Hartley and Stefanie DolsonDolson and Hartley Selected in First Round of WNBA Draft https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/4/14/Dolson_and_Hartley_Selected_in_First_Round_of_WNBA_Draft.aspx University of Connecticut Athletics April 14, 2014 April 22, 2021 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040542/https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2014/4/14/Dolson_and_Hartley_Selected_in_First_Round_of_WNBA_Draft.aspx live – were selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, which immediately followed the conclusion of the 2013–14 season. Notre Dame's Jewell LoydSeattle Selects Jewell Loyd With No. 1 Pick https://www.wnba.com/news/seattle-selects-jewell-loyd-with-no-1-pick/ WNBA April 22, 2021 April 16, 2015 en September 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150905065433/http://www.wnba.com/news/seattle-selects-jewell-loyd-with-no-1-pick/ live and UConn's Kaleena Mosqueda-LewisSun acquire former UConn star Mosqueda-Lewis https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/28775191/sun-acquire-kaleena-mosqueda-lewis-storm#:~:text=Mosqueda%2DLewis%20won%20three%20NCAA,overall%20by%20Seattle%20in%202015. ESPN April 22, 2021 en 24 February 2020 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040539/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/28775191/sun-acquire-kaleena-mosqueda-lewis-storm#:~:text=Mosqueda%2DLewis%20won%20three%20NCAA,overall%20by%20Seattle%20in%202015. live were both first round picks in 2015, while UConn's Breanna StewartLoh Stefanie Seattle Storm selects UConn star Breanna Stewart with top pick in WNBA draft https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/seattle-storm-selects-uconn-star-breanna-stewart-with-top-pick-in-wnba-draft/ The Seattle Times April 22, 2021 April 14, 2016 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040541/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/seattle-storm-selects-uconn-star-breanna-stewart-with-top-pick-in-wnba-draft/ live and Moriah JeffersonDraft Diary: A Day With Moriah Jefferson https://www.wnba.com/news/moriah-jefferson-draft-day-diary/ WNBA April 22, 2021 April 15, 2016 en April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040539/https://www.wnba.com/news/moriah-jefferson-draft-day-diary/ live were first round picks in 2016. The last of the game's starting players to be drafted was Notre Dame's Lindsay Allen,Fever's flurry yields Allen from Aces, Lynx picks https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/30907020/indiana-fever-acquire-lindsay-allen-las-vegas-aces-minnesota-lynx-1st-round-pick-next-year ESPN April 22, 2021 en 15 February 2021 April 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210422040538/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/30907020/indiana-fever-acquire-lindsay-allen-las-vegas-aces-minnesota-lynx-1st-round-pick-next-year live who was a second round pick in 2017. Notre Dame Position UConn Taya Reimer F Breanna Stewart 1 Ariel Braker F Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 1Lindsay Allen 2 G Moriah Jefferson 1Jewell Loyd 1 G Bria Hartley 1Kayla McBride 1 G C Stefanie Dolson 1 #ffcc00 Players selected in a WNBA draft (number indicates round) • SourceOfficial Box Score – Notre Dame vs. UConn https://uconn_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2013-2014/040814.html Sidearm Sports April 4, 2021 Game summary thumb|right|Breanna Stewart scored 21 points to lead UConn UConn controlled the game's tip-off and scored their first points of the contest ten seconds later. Both offenses got out to a strong start, with both teams holding leads within the first five minutes of the game and combining for 16 points with 15 minutes to play in the opening half. With just over five minutes elapsed, a Stefanie Dolson layup broke an 8–8 tie to give UConn back the lead; the Huskies would hold this lead for the remainder of the game. Dolson's layup was the second field goal in what would become a 14–0 Huskies run that gave them a 22–8 lead with eleven minutes to play. Trailing by 13 at the halfway point of the first half, the Fighting Irish were able to narrow the Huskies' lead to as few as six points over the next few minutes, but UConn was able to hold the lead steady and go into halftime with the score 45–38. Entering the second half leading by seven, UConn jumped out to a 10–2 run, spurred by field goals from Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Bria Hartley, Breanna Stewart, and Stefanie Dolson. Trailing 55–40, Notre Dame's Kayla McBride made a two-point jumper with just over fifteen minutes to play, narrowing the deficit to thirteen, but UConn's offense did not let up, as they reapplied pressure and increased the lead to 21 points with 12 minutes to play. The teams largely traded baskets for the next few minutes, with the margin hovering around the 20-point mark and peaking at 24 with just under four minutes to play. Notre Dame made no serious attempt to stop the clock, via fouls or any other method, and the game ended with UConn the victors, 79–58.ESPN Play-by-play – Notre Dame vs. UConn – April 8, 2014 https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/playbyplay/_/gameId/400551354 ESPN April 29, 2021 April 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210430040811/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/playbyplay/_/gameId/400551354 live With their victory, UConn broke the NCAA Division I record with their ninth national championship.Feinberg Doug UConn women rout Notre Dame 79–58, win 9th title https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/apr/09/uconn-women-rout-notre-dame-79-58-win-9th-title/ The Spokesman-Review April 4, 2021 April 9, 2014 May 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210506153035/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/apr/09/uconn-women-rout-notre-dame-79-58-win-9th-title/ live #ffdead April 8, 2014 7:30 p.m. CDT Report No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58 No. 1 UConn Huskies 79 38–45 20–34 McBride 21 Loyd 6 Allen 5 Stewart 21 Dolson 16 Dolson, Jefferson 7 Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tennessee 17,519 Lisa Mattingly, Dee Kantner, Denise Brooks ESPN Media coverage The entire women's tournament, including the championship game, was televised in the United States by ESPN. The championship game drew an average viewership of 3.21 million households, which was the fourth-best mark for a women's basketball broadcast in ten years and the fourth-highest for any ESPN women's basketball championship broadcast. This also marked a 40% viewership increase from the last edition.Siegal Rachel Margolis Best Women's College Basketball Rating in a Decade for UConn-Notre Dame https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/04/best-womens-college-basketball-rating-in-a-decade-for-uconn-notre-dame/ ESPN Press Room April 24, 2023 April 9, 2014 April 24, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230424215417/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2014/04/best-womens-college-basketball-rating-in-a-decade-for-uconn-notre-dame/ live The 100,000 viewers on WatchESPN also set an all-time high for a women's basketball broadcast.P. Nate UConn-Notre Dame drew highest ratings in a decade https://www.swishappeal.com/2014/4/9/5599332/uconn-vs-notre-dame-ncaa-womens-tournament-2014-ratings SB Nation April 24, 2023 en April 9, 2014 November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221130135342/https://www.swishappeal.com/2014/4/9/5599332/uconn-vs-notre-dame-ncaa-womens-tournament-2014-ratings live See also 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game, which the UConn Huskies also won. 2014 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament References Championship Category:NCAA Division I women's basketball championship games Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball Category:UConn Huskies women's basketball Category:2014 in sports in Tennessee Category:April 2014 sports events in the United States Category:College basketball tournaments in Tennessee Category:Women's sports in Nashville, Tennessee Category:2014 in Nashville, Tennessee