05/04/2021
Stanford's depth, grit are too much for Arizona as Cardinal win first womens' title since 1992
It wasn't pretty, said coach Tara VanDerveer -- but it was gritty. And that grittiness, combined with Stanford's tremendous depth, ruled the women's NCAA title game Sunday night.
In a game of runs, lockdown defense and turnovers, Stanford came out on top, 54-53.
Arizona’s Aari McDonald, who became the new darling of women’s basketball throughout the Wildcats’ run, missed a heave at the buzzer that would have won it.
In the final minute, McDonald hit 3-of-4 free throws to bring Arizona within one, 54-53. After a timeout, Stanford inexplicably turned it over on a shot clock violation, seemingly unaware of the dwindling time. That gave Arizona, and McDonald, a chance.
Arizona called a timeout to advance the ball and inbounded to McDonald, whom Arizona rode all tournament. But Stanford trapped her, and McDonald couldn’t find space to get a clean look. Surrounded by three Stanford players, her contested, falling-away 3-pointer bounced long as she fell to the court, exhausted and heartbroken.