University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma tied former Tennessee Volunteers coach Pat Summit's mark for most titles in NCAA women's basketball history with eight Tuesday night, after his Huskies blew out the overmatched, fifth-seeded Louisville Cardinals in New Orleans Arena.
The 93-60 final score represented the largest margin of victory in Women's basketball championship game history, and the 12th straight victory for UConn over Louisville.
"The only person I compare myself to is Pat Summitt and to be there in that spot with her means a lot to me. The fact that I tied Pat Summitt's record, that puts you in a category of the greatest women's basketball coach that ever lived," Auriemma said after the game. "I'm thrilled for our seniors. This team accomplished an amazing feat this last month."
Pat Summit released a statement congratulating Auriemma and the Huskies. "Congratulations to Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies on a remarkable season and an eighth national title. Geno is a proven champion and a leader in our game. My best to him, his family, his team and staff."
Brianna Stewart led the way for the Huskies, scoring a game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, and a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Stewart also contributed nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks.
After the game, Stewart said, "This is unbelievable. This is what we've thought about since the beginning of the season. And now to be here and actually win it, it's a great feeling and I don't think it's going to set in for a while. I just played really confident and stopped thinking. When I second-guess myself, nothing good comes out of that."
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kelly Faris combined to nail nine of their 15 3-pointers, and along with Stewart helped the Huskies sink 50 percent of their treys for the night, and 53 percent as a team from the field.
Their defense stifled Louisville's, who were only able to shoot 37 percent as a team and had only one scorer, Sara Hammond, reach double figures with 15 points.
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