Women’s NCAA Tournament 2013: UConn, Louisville advance

The Connecticut Huskies will play for the 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship following a convincing 83-65 win over Notre Dame on Sunday night at New Orleans Arena.

The Huskies moved out to a double-digit lead by halftime and never looked back. Notre Dame tried to answer with a couple of runs, but Connecticut’s defense was just too much. They held the Irish to just 30 percent shooting from the field.

The Louisville Cardinals and California Golden Bears played one of the best games of the 2013 Women’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon. After numerous lead changes in the final three minutes, it was Louisville that came away with the thrilling 64-57 win at New Orleans Arena.

Louisville trailed for most of the game, although a rally late in the second half gave them their first lead since the opening minutes. The Bears were just unable to hit open shot opportunities, including a handful of three-pointers in the final few minutes.

It’s only fitting that UConn and Notre Dame get to meet again in the Final Four with a trip to the national title on the line. After three thrillers this year all ended up with Irish victories -- in addition to an overtime matchup in last year’s Final Four -- Geno Auriemma’s Huskies can take their pick of what they’re seeking revenge for.

For whatever reason, Notre Dame has owned a typically-dominant UConn squad of late. In seven matchups over the past two seasons, the Irish have won six, accounting for two thirds of the team’s losses over the past two seasons. Two in last year’s regular season, one of which went to overtime, then another overtime win in last year’s tournament. And this year, Notre Dame managed three squeakers: a 73-72 win behind 19 points from Skylar Diggins, a 96-87 triple overtime win where Notre Dame came back from multiple overtime deficits to seal the Big East regular season title, and a 61-59 Big East tournament win on a Natalie Achonwa layup with under two seconds to go.