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2002 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game

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NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game
National championship game
Oklahoma Sooners Connecticut Huskies
(32–3) (38–0)
70 82
Head coach:
Sherri Coale
Head coach:
Geno Auriemma
1st half2nd half Total
Oklahoma Sooners 3040 70
Connecticut Huskies 4240 82
DateMarch 31, 2002
VenueAlamodome, San Antonio, Texas
MVPRebecca Lobo, Connecticut
RefereesScott Yarbrough, Lisa Mattingly, and Melissa Barlow
Attendance29,619
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersMike Patrick (play-by-play), Ann Meyers (analyst), and Michele Tafoya (sideline)
← 2001
2003 →

The 2002 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 2002 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 2001–02 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Connecticut Huskies and the Oklahoma Sooners. The game was played on March 31, 2002, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. After leading 42–30 at halftime, No. 1 UConn defeated No. 4 Oklahoma 82–70 to capture the program's third National championship,[1] and complete the fourth unbeaten season in women's NCAA history (Texas, 1986; Connecticut, 1995; Tennessee, 1998). Connecticut's Swin Cash was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Participants

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Oklahoma Sooners

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The Sooners, representing the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, were led by head coach Sherri Coale in her 6th season at the school. Oklahoma began the season ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll. The team's first loss of the season was at No. 1 UConn on December 22. The team won Big 12 regular season (14–2) and tournament titles. The Sooners finished No. 4 in the final AP poll.

Entering the NCAA tournament at 27–3, OU held the No. 1 seed in the West region. They defeated No. 16 seed Hartford, No. 9 seed Villanova, No. 4 seed Texas Tech, and No. 3 seed Colorado to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history. In the National semifinals, the Sooners defeated the No. 1 seed from the East region, No. 3 Duke, 86–71.[2]

Connecticut Huskies

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The Huskies, who represented the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut, were led by head coach Geno Auriemma, in his 17th season at the school. UConn opened the season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, and possessed the top spot for the entirety of the season. Connecticut closed out a perfect regular season, including a 16–0 record in the Big East, before winning the Big East tournament to improve to 33–0 overall.

In the NCAA tournament, the No.1 seeded Huskies defeated No. 16 seed St. Francis (PA), No. 9 seed Iowa, No. 4 seed Penn State, and No. 7 seed Old Dominion to reach the sixth NCAA Final Four in program history. They won 79–56 over rival and Midwest region No. 2 seed Tennessee in the national semifinal[3] to reach the national championship game with a 38–0 record.

Starting lineups

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Oklahoma Position Connecticut
LaNeishea Caufield
"ARMADURA Z29 HELMET ARMOR Z29" by OSCAR CREATIVO

G
Sue Bird
Stacey Dales G Diana Taurasi
Rosalind Ross G F Asjha Jones
Caton Hill F Swin Cash
Jamie Talbert F Tamika Williams
Source

Game summary

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March 31, 2002
No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners 70, No. 1 UConn Huskies 82
Scoring by half: 30–42, 40–40
Pts: Davis 11
Rebs:  
Asts:  
Pts:  
Rebs:  
Asts:  
AlamodomeSan Antonio, Texas
Attendance: 29,619
Referees: Scott Yarbrough, Lisa Mattingly, and Melissa Barlow

Media coverage

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The game was broadcast on ESPN with Mike Patrick on play-by-play duties, Ann Meyers as the color analyst, and Michele Tafoya as the sideline reporter.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "UConn Women Win Third Title". The New York Times. April 1, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Oklahoma Rides Spurt to Championship Game". The New York Times. March 30, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "No. 1 UConn stays perfect, thumps Tenn". The Baltimore Sun. March 30, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2024.