Stiff defense shuts down Irish
With MVP Brittney Griner patrolling the middle, in your face, hard nose defense was left for the remaining Lady Bear players. A stifling defense that gave the Fighting Irish minimal second chance opportunities while being outrebounded 46-27.
And on both ends of the court, Griner combined to scored 26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 5 shots to help power Baylor to its second title, defeating Notre Dame by a score of 80-61 in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Tuesday night.
The Lady Bears won its first title in 2005 and adds to it, accomplishing something no other team has done, winning 40 games against no losses.
Adyssey Sims and Destiny Williams were the other Bears in double figures, with 19 and 12 respectfully.
Like most championship games, it started with defense for Baylor. The 6’8” Griner, able to control the low post area, left the remaining Bear players with one task. Lock down on your man. It allowed Baylor to give full attention to its man-to-man defense, which worked for the most part except for a few pick-and-roll plays that were executed to perfection.
Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said, Brittney Grinder never takes a day off at practice, when in fact she’s seen other, who have.
Griner, who said she would come back for her senior season, often altered shots or watched Notre Dame players take another direction.
Looking back years from now will be remembered, is what Griner said. Being with her team and seeing confetti falling.
For Notre Dame, point guard Skylar Diggins finished with 20 points and McBride had 11 to give its best effort. But Baylor’s pressure was enough to keep the Fighting Irish (34-4) inconsistence throughout the evening. Though the game was still within reach, Notre Dame closed within three, before it’s late collapse.