Spring Break
FINALLY AMONG THE FOUR
Women's Basketball Heads To The Final Four After Win Over Rutgers
Tim Ehrens
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
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But this UConn team, especially its four seniors, has longed to hear it - the Huskies are headed to the Final Four.
Elation filled the Huskies bench Tuesday night in Greensboro, N.C. as the No. 1-seeded Huskies beat conference rival and No. 2-seeded Rutgers, 66-56, to win the Greensboro Regional and advance to their first Final Four since 2004.
"The reaction from the players on the bench is something I wouldn't be able to put into words or describe," said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. "I wouldn't do it any justice if I tried to. This one, for some reason, just feels different. This one feels pretty incredible, pretty incredible."
Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer, with her head in her hands at the post-game press conference, said her team looked tired in the second half as her team relinquished a five-point first-half lead to give the Huskies confidence and their ninth Final Four berth.
"This game was decided by the team who made the fewest errors. In this case, Connecticut did that," Stringer said. "The mistakes that were made were what I consider to be tired mistakes."
The game started out cold for UConn and hot for Rutgers, who went on an 18-8 run in the first 8:15, behind Essence Carson's 10 points, to put the Huskies on the ropes early. An 8-0 run within a 4:26 span mid-way through the half put the Scarlet Knights ahead by 14 at the 8:11 mark for the game's largest lead.
"We focused on knowing personnel and crashing the boards," said Matee Ajavon, who had a game-high 18 points. "We really limited their second chance points."
The only Husky who stood out in the first half was Charde Houston, who had eight points to lead the team. Scoring threats Maya Moore, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles were held firmly in check by the staunch Scarlet Knights defense, combining for eight points and shooting a dismal 3-for-13 from the field. The only shots that fell for Moore and Montgomery's were breakaway lay-ups, as their jump-shots clanged off the rim.
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William "PHD" Meehan
posted 4/02/08 @ 9:34 AM EST
What a game. The best shot was after the game when Little Mel and Geno hugged. That tear and photo reminded me of Tiger woods after a Masters victory when he hugged his dad Earl Woods a tear in his eye. (Continued…)
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