With a late flurry, Texas A&M was able to secure the 2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with a 76-70 win over Notre Dame. It was a back-and-forth, wildly entertaining game in Indianapolis that saw the Fighting Irish jump out to the halftime lead before Texas A&M came crawling back, thanks in large part to Danielle Adams brilliant performance over the final 20 minutes. And down the stretch, over the last four minutes, the Aggies were clutch as can be, answering every Notre Dame run to bring home the title.
Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship 2011 Final Score: Texas A&M Downs Notre Dame, 76-70
Texas A&M had Notre Dame on the ropes after Skylar Diggins was unable to capitalize with a chance to take the lead at the line. The Aggies made Notre Dame pay, going on a quick 4-0 run to seize control, if only momentarily as Danielle Adams hit back-to-back buckets. With under two minutes to go, Texas A&M had a 70-66 lead, and Notre Dame was in trouble.
The Irish answered with a Devereaux Peters and appeared to have Texas A&M stymied on the other end after triple-teaming Adams, resulting in a block out of bounds. With two seconds left on the shot clock, Tyra White came up with the play of the game, hitting an off-balance three as the shot clock expired to put Texas A&M up five with just under a minute to go.
Skylar Diggins three was off the mark on the other end, after spinning around and popping out, but Diggins came up with a big hustle play to come up with the rebound and draw a foul. Diggins hit both free throws, cutting the Aggies’ lead to three before forcing a turnover with under 30 seconds to go, giving Notre Dame the ball back.
But Diggins couldn’t complete the comeback after turning the ball over beyond the three-point line, allowing Tyra White to seal the game, and the national championship, at the line for Texas A&M.
Danielle Adams was outstanding for the Aggies, finishing with 30 points and nine rebounds. Tyra White was clutch, scoring 18 points and hitting timely buckets down the stretch to preserve the lead for Texas A&M. Sydney Colson was also in double-figures with 10 points.
Skylar Diggins led the way for Notre Dame with 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals. Devereaux Peters had 24 points and 11 rebounds, connecting on 8-10 shots from the floor. Natalie Novosel was also in double-figures with 14 points.
For more on this game, visit Swish Appeal, SB Nation’s women’s basketball community. Also, Notre Dame fans should join Rakes Of Mallow and SB Nation Indiana, and Aggies fans should join I Am The 12th Man and SB Nation Houston.
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