Stanford knows how to excite its fans and drive them near exasperation.
Just like Friday’s win against South Carolina the women of Stanford had to fend off a last second shot by Arizona to claim its third national championship.
The radio announcer, after it was finished and done, said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer looked more relieved than overjoyed. That’s the truth. It’s her third national title since taking over the reins as coach in 1985.
San Francisco Chronicle 4.4.2021
San Antonio, TX. Nearly three decades after the program won its second national title, the Stanford women’s basketball team has earned its third.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 04: Members of the Stanford Cardinal celebrate the team’s win against the Arizona Wildcats in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Stanford’s Haley Jones celebrates her team’s victory over Arizona in the national title game Sunday.
Head coach Tara VanDerveer and the Cardinal withstood a strong defensive effort from Arizona to pull out a 54-53 decision in the championship game in San Antonio on Sunday.
Stanford’s Cameron Brink and Lexie Hull run past Arizona’s Aari McDonald after McDonald misfired on her last-second shot, allowing the Cardinal to hold on to win 54-53 in Sunday’s national championship game.
The Wildcats had a chance to win it at the end. After Stanford’s 21st turnover the game, Arizona inbounded the ball near midcourt with 6.1 seconds left. Pac-12 Player of the Year Aari McDonald got the ball and she got swarmed by Anna Wilson, Lexie Hull and Cameron Brink. McDonald lofted a 3-point attempt that was off the mark, and Stanford had escaped with its second straight one-point win.
Not only is this Stanford’s first national title since 1992, it’s the first for any West Coast team since then.
Stanford won both regular-season meetings with the Wildcats, 81-54 in Tucson on New Year’s Day and 62-48 at Maples Pavilion on Feb. 22.
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer directs her team during the first half of the championship game against Arizona in the women’s Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Top photo: Kiana Williams #23 of the Stanford Cardinas celebrates after cutting down the net following the team’s win against the Arizona Wildcats in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/Stanford-women-hold-off-Arizona-54-53-win-3rd-16076565.php#photo-20827705
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